A doctrine that public ownership of the means of production and distribution will produce a fair and classless society. It has many facets and its divisions have facilitated the rise of 20th century extremist governments, both communist and fascist. European socialist parties remain strong and often head national governments. The Socialist Party of America (1901-20) made little impact on society: its membership peaked at 120,000 (1912) and its leader, Eugene Debs, secured only 6 percent of the presidential vote.