What are the core beliefs of socialists?

Answer 1

Maximal personal libertyThe libertarian believes that the government that governs least, governs best. He believes in maximum personal liberty and minimum government coercion and intrusion in the everyday lives of citizens. The libertarian believes in small government, especially at the federal level, and not getting involved in foreign entanglements. He believes in personal autonomy, both social and economic.

I have also heard this useful description: A libertarian is more liberal than a Liberal on matters of personal liberty, and he is more conservative than a Conservative on matters of economic autonomy.

Answer 2

Socialism has a variety of tenets, all of which vary broadly. Certain core beliefs, however, are shared to a point. These would include:

The redistribution of wealth

Public ownership of certain means of production. This varies quite seriously, some would see the public appropriation of all wealth, whereas others would prefer key services such as transport.

State education free to all

State healthcare free at the point of need (Such as the NHS in the UK)

Most Socialists would also be republicans, in the sense that they would be opposed to the institution of monarchy. This is part of the key part of socialism, the belief in dialectical materialism put forward by Marx, that the advancement of civilization is through conflict (Whether debate, elections or revolution) and that the classes are fundamentally opposed on this matter.

Don't consider this exhaustive by any stretch, may I suggest Marx & Engel's Communist Manifesto to show one extreme, and maybe the 1945 Labour Party (UK) election manifesto to show what 20th Century socialism looked like.