Which of the following is not a central tenet of Socialism ?

Socialism, particularly in its Marxist and scientific forms, is built upon the foundational theories of Historical Materialism and Dialectical Materialism [1]. Historical Materialism posits that economic factors and modes of production drive societal evolution, while Dialectical Materialism provides the philosophical framework of change through the unity of opposites [2]. Central to this ideology is the critique of capitalism through the concepts of Alienation and Class Struggle, where the proletariat is separated from the fruits of their labor. While socialism aims for collective welfare and economic equality to ensure social justice [2], 'Individual Freedom' in the classical liberal sense—emphasizing private property and negative liberty—is not a central tenet. Instead, socialism prioritizes collective ownership and the removal of class-based exploitation to achieve true human emancipation, often viewing liberal individual freedom as a mask for capitalist inequality [1].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/marxism
2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > Socialistic Principles > p. 109