Socialism is the Future and the Future is Ours: A Realistic Analysis in the Context of India and West Bengal
1. Introduction: Our Dreams and the Current Reality
Today's world is going through a deep crisis. On one hand, there is extreme technological advancement, and on the other hand, the common man is struggling for survival. Today, wealth is in the hands of just a few billionaires. Seeing this inequality, the progressive youth of the society thinks that socialism is the future, and that future is ours. But whenever we dream of this beautiful future, the current reality of our own country and state appears before us. Why is India and West Bengal today moving away from the path of socialism? Is this a failure of socialism, or a change in the system? Let us try to understand the matter completely impartially, without taking sides with any political party.
2. Successful real examples of socialism on the world stage
Socialism is not a fictional theory. There are some great successful examples of this in the world today:-
• Scandinavian model: Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark have shown how to impose high taxes on the rich and use that money to provide completely free education and healthcare for their citizens.
• Cuban healthcare: Despite economic sanctions from superpowers like America, socialist Cuba has developed one of the best healthcare systems in the world, where healthcare is not a commercial product.
*Addressing the Climate Crisis:* While capitalism destroys the planet—felling forests and polluting rivers in the pursuit of profit—socialism prioritizes the environment and human lives over business interests.
3. The Reality in India: Why has the country not embraced socialism?
The Preamble to the Indian Constitution explicitly includes the word 'Socialist'. In the early years following independence, India embarked on a path modeled after socialism, utilizing a 'Mixed Economy'. However, the current scenario is different:
• The 1991 Economic Reforms (LPG): Facing a severe economic crisis in 1991, India moved towards the liberalization and privatization of its markets. Since then, the country has rapidly shifted towards capitalism.
• Consumerism and the Middle-Class Mindset: Over the last 30 years, globalization has provided India's middle class with access to affordable gadgets, cars, and corporate jobs. Consequently, a 'consumerist' mindset has developed among the general public, distancing people from socialist ideals.
• Corporate Control: Contemporary Indian politics and the economy have become heavily dependent on large corporate houses; as a result, the government has shifted its focus away from welfare-oriented policies and towards business interests.
4. The Context of West Bengal: Economic Policies of the Left Front, Trinamool, and the BJP
West Bengal’s history is inextricably linked to the socialist movement. It is essential to objectively examine the state's socialist ethos alongside the economic perspectives of its current political parties:
• a) The 34-Year Left Front Era (CPIM) – Successes and Failures:
• Successes: One of the Left Front government's major historic achievements was 'Operation Barga' (land reform). Through this initiative, approximately 1.4 million *bargadars* (sharecroppers) or marginal farmers secured land rights, fostering greater equity within the rural economy. Additionally, the decentralization of the *Panchayat* system empowered ordinary citizens. • Failure: According to impartial economic analysts, the state failed to attract new heavy industries subsequently due to excessive trade union militancy, aggressive labor movements, and initial resistance to new technologies (such as computers). Employment opportunities collapsed as factories shut down one after another, compounded by land acquisition controversies—such as those in Singur and Nandigram—forcing people to seek alternative livelihoods.
• b) Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its social welfare policies:
• The Trinamool Congress's tenure has been primarily built upon a model of 'Welfare Populism.'
• They prioritize strengthening the rural economy and delivering the benefits of social schemes directly to the common people over focusing on heavy industry. Their flagship scheme, 'Lakshmir Bhandar,' stands as the prime example of this approach. Additionally, they have sought to ensure social security for marginalized communities through people-centric initiatives like 'Kanyashree,' 'Khadya Sathi,' and free rations, which provided the poor with temporary economic relief.
• c) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its economic perspective:
• The BJP is a major political force in the state, in addition to holding power at the Centre. Analysts generally view their economic management style as a blend of 'Neoliberal Capitalism' and social welfare.
• The BJP advocates for policies that boost the corporate sector, improve the 'Ease of Doing Business,' and involve massive capital investment in infrastructure development. However, they also implement significant welfare schemes of their own, such as 'PM Kisan Yojana,' 'Ayushman Bharat' (free healthcare), and 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.' According to some analysts, while these corporate-friendly policies have driven GDP growth, they have also significantly widened the inequality gap between the rich and the poor. • d) The Current Situation in 2026 and 'Annapurna Bhandar':-
• Following the recent political changes in the state in May 2026, the incumbent government launched the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme, replacing the earlier 'Lakshmir Bhandar' initiative. Under this new scheme, eligible female beneficiaries receive financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month directly into their bank accounts.
• Economic Crisis: Economic experts across the political spectrum argue that while such cash transfer schemes—or the politics of doles—provide temporary social security and relief to the poor, they do not constitute genuine socialism. Policies rooted in populism or 'welfare capitalism' are being adopted to assuage public discontent, resulting in a massive escalation of the state's debt burden. Due to the lack of heavy industry and permanent employment opportunities, the state's educated youth are still compelled to migrate to other states in search of work.
5. Conclusion: Does the future not belong to us?
There may not be a tide of socialism in India or West Bengal today, but that does not mean that socialism has lost its relevance. Capitalism or the politics of allowances can give people temporary relief, but it cannot ensure permanent employment, equal and quality education or medical treatment for all.
As long as there is inequality between rich and poor in society, the young generation wanders around without finding jobs, and the common people are destitute due to lack of medical treatment—so long will the demand for socialism return again and again. The wheel of history does not always stop at one place. When today's young society understands the inconsistencies of this system, only then will they come forward to build a new society of equality. Therefore, it can be said with full confidence—socialism is the future and the future is ours.
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