I have defined socialism as a moral system, which implies an economic system, which in turn REQUIRES a political system. Everyone should be equal, which means they have equal amounts of stuff, which–given manifest inequalities of talent and position-requires an authoritarian regime, to some greater or lesser degree. The State–which is to say a self appointed Socialist elite that is just a bit more equal than everyone else–has to have the power to take what it wants, and give it to whomever it wants.
Logically, though, it would follow that if egalitarianism as a moral doctrine fails, then so too do the economic and political doctrines which flow in its wake.
An intelligent person could go far with that basic insight.