is socialism possible?

Question

and by this i mean real socialism, not marxism, which is the basis for communism. communism sucks, but what about socialism?

Answer 1

I don't think any pure system works all of the time in every circumstance. There are some countries like Sweden and Denmark which are pretty socialistic, but not totally, and they work pretty well for those countries. But they are small and that doesn't mean the same system would translate to another country. It just fits them.

Same thing with capitalism - pure, unregulated capitalism usually dissolves into greedy monopolies that screw the average person.

Answer 2

Relatively few countries are purely socialistic (i.e., operating entirely on planned economies) and very few are entirely capitalist (i.e., unrestrained market forces). Almost all - even the good ol' USA - fall somewhere in between. On that spectrum, there is a wide range of feasible positions, but everything has a cost. It is true that some social democratic European states (such as France and Germany) have seen severe economic downturns in recent years, with very high unemployment levels. But the French and German people still look in horror at countries like the US, which do not provide basic welfare for large swathes of their citizens, and which have huge gaps between richest and poorest. Which system is preferable depends entirely on what values you consider to be most important: opportunity or justice?

Answer 3

Socialism is possible. However, in practice it just does not work.

Socialism causes complacency, discourages innovation, undercuts ambition, removes the profit motive...on and on.

Further, socialism relies on the thought that the government provides services better than does private industry. If that is the case, then I guess we would all be in agreement that government is currently efficent, effective, and results oriented. But, I have a feeling ALL would disagree with that statement.

Answer 4

Is possible, but it is extremely damaging to our productivity and our Freedom.If y steal from someone that works hard to give to a lazy,freeloading parasite.Than you eventually convert hard working people into the lazy ones.Why work if everyone has the same economic level.Eventually everyone will be poor in socialist society.

Answer 5

Yes, Socialism is possible and exists in countries such as Sweden. However, it does not work. The possibility really exists for it to happen here, if Hillary gets elected to office.

Answer 6

The socialism that Debs talked about is 100% possible.

Answer 7

Socialist policies and programs already exist in our government. Just review the programs initiated in FDR's New Deal. In the final assessment, they seem to be doing well for those they serve.

Answer 8

Democratic Socialism and socialist ideas are responsible for most of the infrastructure on the planet.

"I am a Democratic socialist - and as such - I am far more dangerous - than a communist".
Tony Benn when being accused of being a communist.

Answer 9

I hope not. We ought to prefer a country in which life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness reign. I hope I will *never* have to ask my government for something that I ought to be able to achieve myself.



Addition: To the lib who gave this a thumbs down: You ought to explain in an "addition" to *your* answer why you prefer socialism over life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and why you think it is OK to ask the government for something that you ought to be able to achieve yourself.

Addition: How revealing. Two people gave a thumbs down to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, yet-even when challenged-don't have the guts to reveal themselves and defend their point of view. Intellectual cowards, indeed.

Answer 10

It would be very difficult to make it work, and since I am such a cynical person, it is indeed impossible. People are just too power hungry and corruptable, it is a great idea, and I wish it would work, but it just doesn't.