Will USA be a Socialist some day?

Question

For the current decadence of USA and the emergence of China as commercial power, will USA be a Socialist some day?

Answer 1

Hello,
First of all, China is not Socialst they are Communist. There is a big difference. While there are socialist principles in communist governments, Communism has a classless society as the eventual goal. There are some forms of Socialism in our government (Medicare, Medicaid, social security, etc), but the US is NOT a socialist country.

Now on to your question: I seriously doubt that the US will ever become a socialist country. From the time the US was founded, the US was founded on capatalistic principles and on the individual. We will probably see more socialist principles as time goes on (national health care) but I feel that the individual is far too ingrained in the US for the US to eventually become a socialist country.

Also, if you look throughout history, Communist countries were never succesful. Communism looks good on paper: everyone working toward the general good. However, competition sparks progress and people are inherently selfish. Think about it. If you and I are working in a factory, both getting paid the same amount and I do no work and you work very hard, would that be fair? Eventually you wouldn't work hard either. Without competition there is no investment. This is why China is experimenting with capitalism in certain parts of China.

Answer 2

To expound upon Uzi's comment:

The U.S is a mixed economy - with mainly capitalist principals and some socialist principals.

Americans, historically, do not like the idea of a big government which has a great deal of control over their lives and wallets. Certain programs have emerged which challenge this. That said, the emergence of a completely socialist society isn't as far fetched as I would hope.

As the middle class shrinks there is a greater number of poor people whose wages is not sufficient. What happens to these people? As a libertarian I want to say "I gotta feed my own family..." but seriously, a country with 5 million homeless people doesn't make sense.

(and in typical Marxist theory, the squeezed-dry middle class and dirt-poor poor (the proletariat) will rise up to overthrow the upper class.

If the middle class continues to shrink we may find that the new, poor majority needs more help than we Americans would want to see.

Answer 3

For the sake of being economically sound, it's unlikely. Think about it; the thought of privatization of public goods, such as highways can be more efficient all you have to due is pay, but the "moral" aspect can be damaging. When you privatize things you run the threat of abuse of the private company. I think that we should stay a market economy but as a people we have to forsake this notion of "compassion of the government and people" a leave certain things like food give aways to private charities. With this the "more deserving" are helped and the lazy must work, but crime can go up because the gap of the rich and poor can widen. I feel people are going to poor while others are going to be rich. The true motive should be basic utilities that the people should decide.

I think more things should be privatized but with government regulation to decrease abuse...kinda like what we have today in some extent, so no, hopefully the U.S. does not become completely socialist. Why? No one wants their asses taxed to help some they feel is lazy IE lack of "compassion".

Answer 4

The US is already a socialist stay what with high social security and pension benefits, liberal illigal immigrant population, high govt spending by borrowing, liberal imports from China.
The more the US becomes socialist, the faster the US will approach bancruptcy and decay. China has started becoming strong economically after she started giving up socialism in phases. Now its the choice of poor Americans. If they want to become poorer thay can choose socialism. For the rich it will never matter. They qucikly become Prsedient under Communism as well or have wealth in free countries enough for a generation or two.

Answer 5

Depend on what you mean by socialist. It will almost certainly become more like the social welfare states of Europe, with universal health care etc. It is unlikely to adopt state run productive resources. Countries that have had such policies are moving away from them because it is inefficient.

Answer 6

It sure looks like it very well might be. The only hope I have is when it gets bad enough the people will revolt , I just hope it's not to late when they do.