Final answer:
Socialists have historically embraced different methods to transition to socialism, with Marxism advocating for revolution, while democratic socialists favor peaceful reform through the democratic process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Socialists embrace different mechanisms to pursue the transition from capitalism to socialism, based on various ideological strands. Initially, Marxism advocated for the proletariat to rise against the bourgeoisie, leading to revolutions as seen in Russia in 1917. However, some advocates of socialism, particularly democratic socialists, have come to favor a more gradual and peaceful transition through the democratic process. They reject Marxist notions of violent revolution and instead push for social and economic reforms within the framework of a democratic government.
Louis Blanc, a French socialist, believed in state socialism which would see social reform come from government-led initiatives. Democratic socialism has evolved to emphasize political influence and community organizing to achieve its goals, as opposed to the violent upheavals that characterized some historical socialist movements. The ideology of socialism, with its focus on equal distribution of wealth and resources, now often seeks to advance its agenda within the context of existing democratic institutions.