George Orwells' "1984" describes dystopian socialism. I can't think, off the top of my head, of any socialist country that is not dystopian. Am I right, or am I right?
Having said that, isn't America more socialist than we'd like to admit? The government taxes like a socialist state, doesn't it?
2007-07-27 04:06:16 · 6 answers · asked by Bill 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Socialism fails because it is designed to take away human liberty.
Ludwig von Mises was responsible for one of the best analyses of socialism (1) written at a time before people had hindsight to know the catastrophic results of such a system.
Is America more socialist than we'd like to admit? Not according to the Constitution, but based on unconstitutional governmental power-grabs by politicians such as Franklin Roosevelt (New Deal), it tends more toward planning than it should.
There is a certain measure of necessity in this. Flexibility and tension have maintained relative stability in the U.S.
If you want to watch a live demonstration of socialism leading to catastrophe, watch Hugo Chavez and Venezuela. It started off fairly recently as populist rhetoric and flag-waving, and some leftist-inclined people in America even celebrated the man. More recently, we have watched as Chavez has seized business, media and other powers on his way toward dictatorship. His fans have quieted down, hoping nobody remembers their admiration of the man.
Stay tuned. Some will argue that dictatorship is not inherent in socialism, but this is a myth. It will get worse in Venezuela and it could all have been avoided if the people understood the history of socialism and WHY it is doomed to fail every time (1).
Utilitarianism is a powerful, blunt and brutal instrument to be employed only with the greatest of care.
2007-07-27 04:29:19 · answer #1 · answered by the_defiant_kulak 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I cannot think of any "socialist" country that is not a lot closer to Utopian than "dystopian"..the U.S. may have a socialist fascia but it is the closest thing in the world to "dystopia" than I can find....It taxes like your interpretation of a socialist state but does not give it back to the people like a socialist state does...I pay the same taxes but my child can afford post secondary education, I can go to the hospital without mortgaging the house and all live a much better existence...so, the question being..."are you wrong, or are you wrong?"...the sad part is that American media lead you people to believe that Cuba and Eastern Europe are examples of "socialism" and if you climbed out of your cocoon and explored the world, you would find that most, if not all of your western allies are in fact "socialist" and living a very Utopian existence.
2007-07-27 11:21:47 · answer #2 · answered by bruce b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the second question first, the heritage foundation said the USA is the fourth most free economy in the world.
For the first question, in the long run the socialist governments that are concerned about the people allow creeping capitalism to improve their situations. The others are pure North Korean in their results. If you need the definition of Dystopain, check out North Korea.
2007-07-27 11:24:16 · answer #3 · answered by eric l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a question of socialism or not, right or left. It's the level of authority. George Orwell portrays totalitarianism, and communism in the negative light it deserves. However, in "Homeage to Catalonia" he tells of his real life experience fighting with the Spanish POUM socialist milita in the late 30's against the Franco's fascists. They fought alongside the anarchist militias and the communist militia, however over time, the communists managed to usurp power through their propaganda and outlaw all other militias, and by the end of the book, Spain has gone back to the way it was before the revolution. Not becuase of left or right but because of the authority of the communists. Ultimate authority and totalitarianism corrupts. Not "socialism" .
I think that the US is more totalitarian than you care to admit!!!
2007-07-27 11:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by MetalMaster4x4 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sweden and Norway are doing really well. Between a combination of rich natural resources and small-scale (state-sized) socialism, its working out for now.
In America, we pay almost the same level of taxes, but we get a lot less in return. The success/failure of socialism seems to be related to the size of the national population and geographical size of the nation in question.
2007-07-27 11:12:01 · answer #5 · answered by freedom first 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Socialism is quite depressing. America is more socialist than it should be. You are right on both counts.
2007-07-27 11:15:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋