My Own Political Assessment: Is Socialism Bad?
DISCLAIMER: This is my own political assessment. I don’t subscribe to everyone’s ideas, and the opinions reported here are simply that. Opinions.
Although I consider myself more of a moderate political individual, I do share some views that lean toward a conservative balance and I am not ashamed of that. I grew up this way. My family is split in their views, but I like to think that I am educated enough to hear both sides of an issue and make up my own mind as to how I want to view them, and then act on them accordingly.
The last few years has been a doozy as we have heard from many leaders, in and out of politics, and their views on an alternative style of Government. But more importantly, we have heard from many who are focused on Socialism. That mean, nasty, dirty word.
Is Socialism really bad? Not for nothing, but…
What are we really scared of? Or more importantly, what is it about the derisive nature we have toward an ideal that not a lot of people really know much about? Has anyone ever really looked up the differences between Socialism and our ultimate arch-enemy, Communism? Are we still afraid of the Red Scare after all these many years? The Cold War has ended folks. Or has it?
If you’ll let me, I’d love to break down what I have learned on the differences between these two “ism’s”.
Merriam-websters.com defines —
Socialism
noun
so·cial·ism | \ ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm \
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.
Merriam-websters.com defines —
Communism
noun
com·mu·nism | \ ˈkäm-yə-ˌni-zəm , -yü-\
1a : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
1b : a theory advocating elimination of private property
2 capitalized
2a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R.
2b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
2c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
2d : communist systems collectively
Let’s Conversate
Communism advocates class war and leads to a society in which all property is publicly owned, where each person is paid according to their abilities.
Sound familiar? Is this what the Conservative Right is trying to make Socialism out to be? As you can see by reading both these definitions that even though they share some fundamental elements, they are different. Then why is it that the Right cringes at the very thought of socialistic activity, and/or some form of a socialistic government?
In my academic research, Socialism is not the dark horse the Right tends to vilify. Now most would contest that academia is leftist in nature, but a basis has to come from somewhere. It is up to you to formulate your own opinion only after researching both sides and not just from reading some headline and drawing your own conclusion. Doing so does not make you an authority as it makes you look more like a boob for not researching any further or even reading the full article. True academics will research multiple articles and only then draw their own conclusion.
Our society has socialist entities already in place, ie. the fire department, our local police department, even the public library system. Have they become Communistic? Are we communists already for allowing such organizations to exist? Are we so far left that we would never be able to reign in our indiscretions, only to become the type of society that the Right wants us to be?
I suppose a capitalist would think that if “my accumulations were to be seized and divided up among people who are not as fortunate, or who abuse the system; the takers” would be cause for alarm. But the truth to the matter can be deceiving. That is communism, not socialism.
Conclusion
The gray area between the two seems to make people lose their minds. Alas, it is my belief that a progressive and socialistic society has the ability to make things happen versus not; a capitalistic idea. Does that make sense? Capitalism is free trade, where Socialism is more like: Give me half since I don’t have as much as you. Will we ever be able to work in harmony to allow more than one idea to work?
But don’t take my word for it.
The ball is in your court. It’s up to you to do your own research and make-up your own conclusions. We are all individuals that make-up our own society. You don’t have to follow someone else’s ideas simply because you don’t want to hurt other’s feelings or something. “Groupthink” will destroy our society, so be an individual. Go forth and make this country great again.
Peace.
