is Mr Birling a capitalist or socialist? Why explain?

He is the owner of Birling and Company, some sort of factory business which employs several girls to work on (presumably sewing) machines. He is a Magistrate and, two years ago, was Lord Mayor of Brumley. He thus is a man of some standing in the town. He describes himself as a "hard-headed practical man of business," and he is firmly capitalist, even right-wing, in his political views.

Arthur Birling is a capitalist. For additional information, just follow the link below. The article gives detailed information on Mr. Birling as a capitalist and explains the author's purpose.

mr birling is a socialist as he was influenced firmly and has only been awakened to his crimes when they are ingrained into him - locke's theory