The Directional Difference Between Socialists and Capitalists

Socialists and capitalists largely agreed that society and the economy are inseparable.

Where they differed was in what to change first.

Socialists focused on reshaping social relations—class, gender, power—believing that fairer economic outcomes would follow.
Capitalists focused on reshaping economic incentives—markets, capital, innovation—believing that social progress would emerge as a consequence.

Put more simply, socialists tried to make social change that would also impact the economy whereas capitalists tried to make economic change that would also impact society.

In practice, every successful era combined both: economic change required social legitimacy, and social change required economic capacity.