Is Socialism everywhere?

Question

Republicans at YA just love to refer to Democrats and Democratic policies, initiatives, etc... as "socialist" or "socialism".

Of the following first world countries, which would Repubs say are NOT socialist? And of the countries that remain (supposedly socialist) which are the countries that are failing, and in what respects?

1. Australia
2. Austria
3. Belgium
4. Canada
5. Denmark
6. Finland
7. France
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Ireland
11. Israel
12. Italy
13. Japan
14. Korea (South)
15. Netherlands
16. New Zealand
17. Norway
18. Portugal
19. Slovenia
20. Spain
21. Sweden
22. Switzerland
23. Taiwan
24. United Kingdom
25. United States

Sherry, nonresponsive.

Scott, you've arrived. You now have nowhere to go.

Answer 1

If our country had no socialist ideas (tax to an extent, business control) we would've fallen apart already. I'm not saying full socialism. But utopian capitalism is about as real as utopian socialism.

Answer 2

Republicans on Yahoo Answers love to throw around the terms “socialism” and “socialist” to describe any government program or proposal that they don’t like or just to try to disparage Democrats. The Republican usage of these terms is mindless and meaningless.

They would probably describe all of the countries that you listed as “socialist” since they all have universal health care, except of course, the United States.

Answer 3

Great question. Without checking here's what I would guess.

Greece, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan

I have no idea is that's correct or not. I have a feeling I'm wrong though.

Edit:

I forgot to answer which are failing from my list. I'd say Taiwan is the doing the least well. I'd argue that is due to China's influence though. The others are doing fine.

Answer 4

United States is as socialist country as any other European country. You just don't have public healthcare, which is about the only difference.

Answer 5

All these countries have socialistic programs some more so than others. I would like to see socialism on the decline in the U.S.
I believe the only people we should have on social programs would be the mentally and physically disabled, disadvantaged children, and the elderly in today's America. I believe eventually social security should go into personal accounts, and the transition made gradually so as not to hurt anyone on it presently.
The less taxes we all pay would assure more economic growth.

Answer 6

I don't see a problem with socialism, the idea. No system is perfect. That means that we all have work to do. That's life. There is always work. There are always improvements that can be made. I believe in people and support socialist ideas overall. I work hard and do what I need to do. I recognize that the system we have now is very hard on some people. It doesn't work really. It's a lie. It works for the ultra rich and maybe. I think they have warped ideas about what life is about. I don't think they are all that happy. I think they live in fear. I think they aren't able to do basic things for themselves.
The lazy and ineffective people in our midst will never change. Education and opportunity is the way to change their children though.

Answer 7

No, they are all market-based economies. Go look them up yourself at CIA World factbook.
Even France has turned away from socialism and their government has returned airlines and other businesses to the private sector.
They all have social SPENDING, but that does not equate to socialism, which is a form of economy.

Answer 8

There is no pure form of capitalism or socialism in the real world. That's enough said.

Answer 9

Every industrialized nation is left of America. Hillary Clinton would be a right winger in any of these countries.

Answer 10

I like this question, and I have to agree with Sahara's answer, because I think it is the best one so far. *sm*