Socialist - Definition - just in case you might need it when

[MaryH]

someone tries to call you that.

A theory or system of ownership of the means of production and distribution by society rather than by individuals.

I guess I just don't see how not likeing Bush or his policies makes me a socialsit.

[JimmyJazz]

1. that's a very cryptic way of defining a perfectly legitimate form of

government - again, why is it so insulting to you that someone called you a socialist? Why does it require two threads on the same subject?

[eallen]

3. Actually, it defines a form of economy....

A constitutional republic or a dictatorship or just about any other form of government could implement a socialist economy.

The vast majority of people in the west, across the political spectrum, view capitalism as the goose that lays the golden eggs. Those on the right might want policies within capitalism to advantage the elite, e.g., freeing corporations from thir external costs and weakening workers, while those on the left (not far left) try to create social programs that protect the majority. But not even in states with generous social programs, such as Sweden, is there significant push to eliminate capitalism. Generous social programs rely on having a wealthy economy, and capitalism is what makes the wealth.

Socialists dissent from that claim. Of course.

[BigMcLargehuge]

2. it's not a government, it's an economic system

that might be good to add too.

[JimmyJazz]

6. I know that technically that is true, but there are certainly

political and social ideologies that go along with the economic factor.

Also, weren't the governments of Chile and Guatamala considered "socialist" governments before the US/CIA backed overthrows of these governments under the "not in my backyard" theory? If not, then were they communist governments? I wasn't under that impression, but I could be wrong.

BTW - I think I'm lost...this isn't the lounge, is it? :P

[WMliberal]

8. Guatemala was called "socialist" because the new president

kindly asked United Fruit to give laborers a raise.


He might as well have declared war on the U.S.

[Trailrider1951]

4. When someone calls you a socialist

just smile and remind them that the socialist democracies of Norway and Sweden, among countries, are some of the best places on earth to live, especially if you are a woman or a child. They have universal health care, the lowest infant and mother mortality, the highest rate of education, etc. Just ask them what the hell is so bad about being a democratic socialist. It obviously works for the Scandinavians. IMHO, the only bad thing about living there is the climate!

[MaryH]

5. I'm just having a bad day.

This person calling me the worst names he can thing of - socialist or supporter of world globalization is also a major religious freak.

Just don't get it. How can you justify war with Christianity? How do you justify turning your back on the suffering of the world?

I just don't get it.

[eallen]

7. Norwegian and Swedish economies are capitalist, not socialist.

The means of production are owned by investors, through stock corporations, with liquidity through equity markets, and funding through capital markets. Very much like the US. A US investor looking at Sweden feels much more at home in Sweden than in, say, China. Or Russia. Some of the mutual funds in my retirement accounts invest in Norwegian and Swedish companies.

Yes, these nations have generous social programs. But those social programs are funded by taxes on a capitalist economy. The citizens of Norway and Sweden aren't about to eliminate their capitalist economy. It's the fabled goose that lays the golden eggs.