It has also meant a comprehensive welfare state, to shelter the old, the sick and the unlucky from the worst hardships of a capitalist economy. However, state socialism failed. It did not achieve the desired end. In some respects, it even frustrated the pursuit of that end. Before the Tories stopped it, nationalisation made large areas of British industry into museum exhibits.
Welfare continues to reduce millions from the working classes to feckless parasitism.
Some in the labour movement still deny this bleak analysis. John Prescott at least pretends that, given a few dozen more seats, he can take us back to 1965. The Socialist Workers believe that one more push will bring on the dictatorship of the proletariat. Most members are in the sad position of wanting state socialism to work, but knowing that it won't. The labour movement seems currently like one of those stone age tribes suddenly put in touch with the modern world.