Having read some answers here and articles in the media in general I get the impression that American's see anyone who is not a supporter of far right wing politics and Christian fundamentalism as a Socialists...am I correct in thinking this?
2007-09-10 12:08:47 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
A liberal can be a socialist but not necessarilly. I am liberal. I would consider myself socialist. But, I guess you can be a liberal capitalist. What most people (especially Americans) don't get is how the sociopolitical spectrum works. People often confuse social ideology with political ideology. Although they both can combine (sociopolitical), such a landcape would become more circular as opposed to a linear spectrum.
Consider this: http://politicalcompass.org/
The real problem is that the propaganda in the US has made both liberal and socialism (especially socialism) a bad word. Do yourself a favor and look up capitalism and socialism in the dictionary before you assume that you are not a socialist just because the powers at hand tell you so.
2007-09-10 12:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are both imaginary, so you can make up any difference you want. Some rich people (Conservative and Liberal) receive millions from the government in the way of reduced taxes on some income. The US spends billions on these loopholes. They are not self-reliant - they need tax breaks, and many rely on the Republicans in Congress to enable and enlarge these tax breaks. The amount of true socialists in the US is quite small, maybe 1%, or maybe the Green Party members. The amount of true non-socialists in the US is probably smaller: people who live off the grid, don't use roads, did not go to public school, don't rely on law enforcement or the internet. The rest of us all rely on some socialism: the defense department, food inspection, public education, FDA, NHTSA, CDC, etc. But, if you would rather make stuff up than look at the evidence and use logic, there is nothing I can say that will convince you that what you say is fiction.
2016-05-21 08:59:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very good point; I intended to ask a similar question myself.
A distinctive feature of American culture is the loose way in which they use language, including political terminology.
As has been pointed out above, this is compounded by a political environment in which the centre of gravity is hard-right, by European standards.
For average Jake Redneck, anyone who expresses sympathy with the oppressed is a 'liberal'. 'Socialist' is a term reserved for perceived totalitarian communist systems or policies (eg the UK NHS would be regarded by the average Yankee Jake as Stalinist had he or she ever heard of it).
2007-09-10 12:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by sharifjunaid 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i dont know. but I am a lot more in favor of socialism than libertarianism.
or at the least a socialist over a liberal.
Liberals are into lame things like rights for prisoners illegals, etc.
I persoanlly am in for the betterment of the country. Something the cons don't get either- they also want illegals to be hooked up.just ask W.
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obviously rerugged has no clue. The republicans are for "limited govornment" yeah right. So then they want to be politicians. makes sense if you beleive in oxi morons. Just look at oxi mornic Bush. How many NEW government agencies are there now?
Let alone spending like a fool on the loose. \OK, not LIKE one, he is one.
2007-09-10 12:15:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
There is no left wing and there is no right wing in US politics. As a matter of fact, political thought has no place here. There are many people, however, who call themselves libs or cons who just say anything without regard to validity. I have no idea why they do it; it certainly isn't in their own best interests, they just say whatever. At a time when we are need of leadership, we get leadersheep instead. Go figure.
2007-09-10 12:21:20 · answer #5 · answered by Mac 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No. Unfortunately- most People in this country don't know the "distinction" between the two. Many of them just swallow whatever rhetoric the Conservatives feed them- & go along with THAT. It's a shame, but such is the nature of the Times...
2007-09-10 12:17:30 · answer #6 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No. The Christian right and Bush supporters think that socialism is evil and liberals are terrorists.
2007-09-10 13:56:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Socialists are honest about government take over of the economy. Liberals are lying about the same government take over of the economy.
There is no substantive difference. Both want elites to boss all others in tyranny. That is why only elites advocate this failed ideology. It failed after the mass slaughter of 100 million people in the 20th Century. The people have still rejected it around the world, where capitalism is growing in reach.
2007-09-10 12:17:29 · answer #8 · answered by buttfor2007 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
some see things that way- they can't tell the difference between not only a socialist and liberal, but a Democrat and socialist and liberal.
2007-09-10 12:42:09 · answer #9 · answered by Lily Iris 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Its a 2 party country, all or nothing attitude
2007-09-10 12:13:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋