The idea of socialism

"Social freedom is the true idea of socialism." The idea of socialism, which has provided normative support and historical orientation for more than 150 years in response to the outrage over capitalist living conditions, seems to have lost all appeal today. Despite a growing discomfort, hardly anyone is currently tempted to once again envision a way of life beyond capitalism in its name. How can we explain the rapid obsolescence of this once so fascinating idea? And what must we do if we want to save it for our time? According to Axel Honneth in his lucid political-philosophical essay, the idea of socialism has lost its luster because it is based on theoretical assumptions that originated in the era of industrialism, which now, in the 21st century, no longer hold any persuasive power.