社會主義最初是以資本主義的反命題而出現的，但隨後亦逐漸在反命題的基礎上發展出其正面的學說和主張。社會主義要求建立一種更具有群體意識和合作精神的人類結合關係，並認為更實質的平等才真正有助於體現絕大多數人的自由。激進的社會主義實踐運動在二十世紀的頓挫已然十分明顯，但倘若能對社會主義的核心要素進行審慎省察，仍可從中汲取有助於思索及改善當前資本主義與自由主義民主複合體之內在難題的積極成分。本文將分別從嚴重的經濟不平等之紓解，以及個人與群體之關係的改善等兩個角度，探討社會主義思潮所能給予的積極啟示。

Socialism first emerged as an antithesis of capitalism and gradually asserted itself as a grand thesis with moral contents and analytical power. Socialism advocates the establishment of a union based on collective consciousness and cooperative spirit, and that a more constrctively equality can truly reflect freedom of the majority. Although already in decline in the 20th century, radical socialism can still serve as a reviewing framework of the core elements of socialism and preserve and improve the best of capitalism and liberalism This article will attempt to explore what socialism still has to offer through two perspectives: economic inequality and improvement of relationship between an individual and the greater collective.

社會主義;不平等;福利國家;失業

socialism;inequality;welfare state;unemployment