CDZ Serious question, where has socialism accually worked?

[oldsoul]

I am somewhat of a student of history, and have yet to find anywhere that socialism has accually worked. Some may argue that it is working in Europe right now. But, is it really? As I see it, there is mounting debt, runaway inflation, and government take overs of entire industries. Just to name a few of the problems facing many nations in Europe. Also, the EU seems to have lost most, if not all, of it's economic power, with the exception of the Euro still existing. So, where is it working, and providing this great utopia that it's proponants say is the result?

 

[TNHarley]

Some of them are doing quit well. Of course, they all have their downfalls
One might not be able to defend themselves. Or they are strict on immigration. Or Or Or
However, democratic socialism isn't socialism.

 

[Arianrhod]

FWIW, the U.S. functions on a combination of socialism and capitalism.

 

[oldsoul]

However, democratic socialism isn't socialism.

Exactly, that is why I asked where in the world socialism has worked, not democratic socialism. Also, not to be confused with communism. They all share aspects, but are not the same.
Even so, is democratic socialism even working?

 

[sealybobo]

I am somewhat of a student of history, and have yet to find anywhere that socialism has accually worked. Some may argue that it is working in Europe right now. But, is it really? As I see it, there is mounting debt, runaway inflation, and government take overs of entire industries. Just to name a few of the problems facing many nations in Europe. Also, the EU seems to have lost most, if not all, of it's economic power, with the exception of the Euro still existing. So, where is it working, and providing this great utopia that it's proponants say is the result?

All of Europe and here in the USA. Our country is part socialism and part capitalism.

Show me where Libertarianism has ever worked.

 

[Fishlore]

I am somewhat of a student of history, and have yet to find anywhere that socialism has accually worked. Some may argue that it is working in Europe right now. But, is it really? As I see it, there is mounting debt, runaway inflation, and government take overs of entire industries. Just to name a few of the problems facing many nations in Europe. Also, the EU seems to have lost most, if not all, of it's economic power, with the exception of the Euro still existing. So, where is it working, and providing this great utopia that it's proponants say is the result?

A good recent review of the pluses and minuses of the Danish system can be found in
Something Not Rotten in Denmark by Paul Krugman in the New York Times of October 19

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/19/opinion/something-not-rotten-in-denmark.html

Denmark is often regarded as the most socialized nation as it has the largest percent of GDP spent by the government.

When you say that socialism isn't working, I wonder what your standard is. For most socialists, the criterion is the standard of living of the poorest strata of citizens measured in relative, not absolute terms. Is that what you are using as a measure?

I too fancy myself a student of history, particularly economic history. I can't imagine what sources have given your assessment of European socialism. Where did you get these strange ideas?

 

[oldsoul]

FWIW, the U.S. functions on a combination of socialism and capitalism.

True. Though not founded that way, the constitustion had to be changed/ignored to make that happen...

 

[TNHarley]

However, democratic socialism isn't socialism.

Exactly, that is why I asked where in the world socialism has worked, not democratic socialism. Also, not to be confused with communism. They all share aspects, but are not the same.
Even so, is democratic socialism even working?

Europe isn't socialist

 

[oldsoul]

Show me where Libertarianism has ever worked.

Not the purpose of the thread...

 

[oldsoul]

I am somewhat of a student of history, and have yet to find anywhere that socialism has accually worked. Some may argue that it is working in Europe right now. But, is it really? As I see it, there is mounting debt, runaway inflation, and government take overs of entire industries. Just to name a few of the problems facing many nations in Europe. Also, the EU seems to have lost most, if not all, of it's economic power, with the exception of the Euro still existing. So, where is it working, and providing this great utopia that it's proponants say is the result?

A good recent review of the pluses and minuses of the Danish system can be found in
Something Not Rotten in Denmark by Paul Krugman in the New York Times of October 19

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/19/opinion/something-not-rotten-in-denmark.html

Denmark is often regarded as the most socialized nation as it has the largest percent of GDP spent by the government.

When you say that socialism isn't working, I wonder what your standard is. For most socialists, the criterion is the standard of living of the poorest strata of citizens measured in relative, not absolute terms. Is that what you are using as a measure?

I too fancy myself a student of history, particularly economic history. I can't imagine what sources have given your assessment of European socialism. Where did you get these strange ideas?

What ideas are so strange to you?

 

[TNHarley]

I am somewhat of a student of history, and have yet to find anywhere that socialism has accually worked. Some may argue that it is working in Europe right now. But, is it really? As I see it, there is mounting debt, runaway inflation, and government take overs of entire industries. Just to name a few of the problems facing many nations in Europe. Also, the EU seems to have lost most, if not all, of it's economic power, with the exception of the Euro still existing. So, where is it working, and providing this great utopia that it's proponants say is the result?

All of Europe and here in the USA. Our country is part socialism and part capitalism.

Show me where Libertarianism has ever worked.

Libertarianism is an ideology. Not an economic theory... :/

 

[CrusaderFrank]

I am somewhat of a student of history, and have yet to find anywhere that socialism has accually worked. Some may argue that it is working in Europe right now. But, is it really? As I see it, there is mounting debt, runaway inflation, and government take overs of entire industries. Just to name a few of the problems facing many nations in Europe. Also, the EU seems to have lost most, if not all, of it's economic power, with the exception of the Euro still existing. So, where is it working, and providing this great utopia that it's proponants say is the result?

Socialism has worked out quiet well, but only for the leaders, and not as well for the useful idiots (USMB Progressives)

 

[Meathead]

Socialism can word on a small scale where people strongly identify with each other. This is true of everything from families to small homogeneous countries with an enlightened population. Socialism on a larger scale where the population has relatively little in common has always been, and will be a disaster unless human nature is significantly altered. In other words, socialism on a large scale cannot work.

Beware of people who claim they can change the world's economies. These things never work out well.

 

[TNHarley]

Successful socialists = Mao, Stalin, Pot and Hitler

 

[TNHarley]

Socialism can word on a small scale where people strongly identify with each other. This is true of everything from families to small homogeneous countries with an enlightened population. Socialism on a larger scale where the population has relatively little in common has always been, and will be a disaster unless human nature is significantly altered. In other words, socialism on a large scale cannot work.

Beware of people who claim they can change the world's economies. These things never work out well.

Mental conformity

 

[sealybobo]

Show me where Libertarianism has ever worked.

Not the purpose of the thread...

Well no one is suggesting we go 100% socialism. No one wants to get rid of capitalism. We just want to regulate it better. And some things shouldn't be privatized but they have been.

The vote, prisons, schools,

Privatization Nightmare: 5 Public Services That Should Never Be Handed Over to Greedy Corporations

The Privatization Scam: Five Government Outsourcing Horror Stories

 

[sealybobo]

Privatizing Our Vote: The Ultimate Crime

 

[sealybobo]

The Issues - Privatization

Stephen Hawking fears robots could take over in 100 years

 

[Meathead]

Privatizing Our Vote: The Ultimate Crime

I thought votes were necessarily a private matter except for those in legislatures.

 

[sealybobo]

Privatizing Our Vote: The Ultimate Crime

I thought votes were necessarily a private matter except for those in legislatures.

You trust a corporation with the vote count? Fool.