Why don't a good number of Americans realize that socialism and communism are not the same thing?

Question

And for the record I feel that neither one are bad. They are simply foreign to a capitalist republic. I am an old political science (international relations/ political philosophy) graduate from the University of Wisconsin. A good number of Americans are not properly schooled in political philosophy. It would help them to better understand government in general.

Answer 1

There are many social democratic states is western Europe where people are treated respectfully by governments, yet are free to live as they choose.

Many people in the United States have been convinced that anything other than unfettered capitalism works ... yet these same people complain about the number of homeless, the level of poverty in their nation, the high rate of infant mortality, the percentage of Americans without health insurance, the high level of crime despite the fact there are strict sentences and capital punishment in many states, etc. Think about it.

Answer 2

Call it what you want, but it IS bad. And I'll even tell you why.

It's bad because it's not what you studied in the classroom.

I have to admit that I'm not entirely clear on the difference between Socialism and Communism, myself. I use the term "Communism" to refer to the old Soviet-style system - admittedly, not because I know the difference, but because I was raised calling it that.

Ignorance on my part, yes. But I think anyone who's ever been to any of the old Soviet republics, and has seen the results of the old Soviet system, would disagree with your assessment that Communism (or what the Soviets called Socialism) isn't "bad".

Unless you agree with the ideology that the State can choose your livelihood and assign you an education level, a job within that field, and an appropriate apartment from which there is no hope of ever moving up - all the while assuming the responsibility for feeding and clothing you and providing for your medical needs, and then failing miserably at those responsibilities - if this sounds "not bad" to you, well then more power to ya.

But lemme tell ya: I was born with nothing and had to work for everything I have. I brought myself up from nothing, and I am no longer poor, no longer destitute, and no longer uneducated. This is not possible under a Communist system, such as is currently being suffered in North Korea, and would never be allowed, because I did this myself. The government had nothing to do with it.

If you like the idea of standing in line for hours upon end for government handouts...if you like the idea that the government can tell you where to work, live, or go to school, and then simply make you disappear if you disagree...if you like the idea of a government-installed radio in every home, which plays party propaganda round the clock and can never be turned off, then maybe that's the system for you.

But to me, it's BAD. And it doesn't matter which word you use for it.

Answer 3

I understand the difference.

While I cannot agree that either is a "bad" thing as an ideology, they are similar in that they depend on fairness, intellegence and social benevolence IN GOVERNMENT to work. And that will just never happen!

No government works well. Never have, never will. Therefore it's the forms of government that have the least 'government' that man should strive for. Is Capitalism bad? Left unchecked, yes it can be. With moderate government controls to protect the worker and the common man, it works great!

Answer 4

Why don't most Americans know much about world geography, politics, or history? The list goes on...

Americans are conditioned to live in a perpetual state of fear. Fear of debt, job loss, crime, terrorism, hostile foreign governemnts, obesity. Meantime, they're spoon-fed inanities like sports and celebrity gossip. There isn't a lot of time for introspection or intellectual pursuits.

Answer 5

Because though socialism and communism are basically the same ideology, their means of attaining it are different. Socialists gain power peacefbly while Communists advocate a violent take over.

Answer 6

I agree. Americans are far too quick to fear things that they don't understand. We, as a country, should try to be more open minded about non-capitalist ideas.

Answer 7

Ignorance. And yes, the concepts of socialism inhibit growth economically. Communism stifles the spirit. Both are foreign to us here, but are nevertheless bad.

Answer 8

You feel that communism is not a bad thing huh? You must be blind then.

Check these links then

Here is the poster boy of Communist Cuba

http://www.today.ucla.edu/1997/971010CheShow.html

OR how about this one then? Uncle Joe?

http://www.gendercide.org/case_stalin.html

OR this one for this darling of the left

http://www.dithpran.org/killingfields.htm

Come on man, the sixties are over ...its time to come home

Answer 9

not the same, but similar in enough aspects to warant criticism. both are failed economic policies. just look at the economies of europe, russia, cuba and any other place you can think of! even the chinese realize that it doesn't work and have since become much more capitalistsic.

Answer 10

Most are uneducated. Personally, I would like to see what life is really like in a socialist country.