Why Have the Masses Lost Interest in Socialism?

The article considers the reasons for the masses to have lost their interest in socialism, as well for decrease in credibility of communist parties and their size. Primarily, the author examines the historical and politico-psychological reasons. Furthermore, the analysis goes deeper, from the superstructural phenomena to the base. In addition to historical and politico-psychological reasons (related to the fall of the USSR), the article considers theoretical and propaganda reasons, including extensive critique of “real socialism” by Soviet authors. The author argues that this critique was a specifi c form of a class struggle of a part of the intelligentsia against the governing group (the socalled nomenklatura). It is noted that the new concept of socialism (associated with planned-market or non-market economy, “economy of participation" or “multi -level contractual coordination”, etc., and a democratic government) which could replace the former (Soviet) model has been poorly developed and presented in scientific research since the early 1990s. Economic reasons include the fact that the growth of income brings the variety of opportunities, including those related to obtaining professional or higher education, to doing business, etc., which leads to individualization of the search for possibilities. This is one of the manifestations of “new dimensions” of human life, increasing “multidimensionality of contemporary life”. However, today's trends cannot but be replaced by other trends, due to the crisis development inherent to capitalism. There are signs of increasing support for left parties, for example, in Latin America. Also, an important factor in strengthening the interest of the masses in socialism may be a further success of China in growth of prosperity and in implementation of reforms that strengthen the socialist orientation of its development. The article follows the structural and logical method of analysis.