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Poll Shows Disturbing Level Of Support For Socialism In Canada, But Many Struggle To Define It

1. pedro_deleon says:

   February 23, 2023 - 7:52 pm at 7:52 pm

   “relatively minimal support for socialism when it’s described as the state owning the means of production”

   So what is socialism?
   To my mind, the definition above pertains to communism, not socialism. Effectively, a commune writ large, nationwide.

   I have most of western and northern Europe as deeply socialist. Even where the State owns relatively little means of production.

   My definition then is when governments DON’T own the means of production (aside from natural monopolies like water works, etc.), but are HEAVILY involved in redistribution, via taxation and subsidization. Countries like the US that engage in Ponzi schemes to distribute from the young to the old (Social Security) are also (more) socialist than those that don’t.

   No chance for a rational debate when folks differ so widely on what the terms mean.

   PS … to my thinking socialism is independent of the political layer, although they are usually intertwined. Socialism fails over time, so political force is used to keep it in place in the face of opposition. (Eg, Cuba or Venezuela)

2. Briguy says:

   February 24, 2023 - 7:50 am at 7:50 am

   Most people believe socialism will benefit themselves personally while the other guy will pay most of the costs.