Why do people think Socialism is Evil

[UpSkirtDistress]

I'm not a socialist but i do agree with alot of socialist ideas and for the most part vote socialist. I think intergrating some socialist ideas into public services, government and economics would be productive. What I don't understand is why so many people fear socialism and automatically label it communism, it has its roots in communism and shares some ideas but the two are entirely different. Why is it so many people hate and fear socialism. What are your views about government adapting some socialist policies and why people hate the idea of Socialism.

Edit: Communism has its roots in Socialism (Communism is extreme socialism and as a rule extreme anything is never good)

 

[Deef]

It's communism that people think is evil.
I personally like socialism, Canada is kindof socialist and France is very socialist and also very sucessful. So where's the problem?

 

[joystickjunki3]

I used to completely respect the theoretical forms of gov't(s), including communism. But having taken a few poli-sci courses, I've realized that gov't(s) are best when small and when they hold very little power. Socialism, in that respect, fails. As does modern "democracy" and communism, along w/ fascism.

 

[Avatar Roku]

That is my question as well. I guess it boils down to this: because socialism has/had positive connotations in Europe, the Nazi party, and then later the USSR, named themselves Socialist (even though they clearly weren't) to look good. But since Nazis (rightfully) and Soviets (debatably rightfully) are seen negatively in America, so is what they chose to associate with (even if just nominally): Socialism.

 

[Ridergurl10]

The reason so many people have a problem with socialism is because of its relation with communism. You actually have it backwards communism has its roots in socialism not the other way around, and many governments that began socialist turned communist (ex. Soviet Union). Socialism is a great idea in theory, but tends not to work so well in practice. People fear it because they are uneducated and don't fully understand it, however there are some true roots to their fear, in that a true socialist government has yet to succeed. Elements of socialism do exist in certain governments and seem to work well. Just my opinion and I mean no offense to anyone!

 

[Avatar Roku]

The reason so many people have a problem with socialism is because of its relation with communism. You actually have it backwards communism has its roots in socialism not the other way around, and many governments that began socialist turned communist (ex. Soviet Union). Socialism is a great idea in theory, but tends not to work so well in practice. People fear it because they are uneducated and don't fully understand it, however there are some true roots to their fear, in that a true socialist government has yet to succeed. Elements of socialism do exist in certain governments and seem to work well. Just my opinion and I mean no offense to anyone!

Thing is, Canada, Sweden, and France, among others, are very Socialist, if not purely, and they do fine.

 

[joest01]

cuz it's not compatible with our lazy as$ selfs

 

[Nmil-ek]

Yeah socialisms absolutley horrible sucks having an nhs and seeing a doctor withing 15 minutes of calling every time or free prescriptions when a student/unemployed or free operations or free dental care if unemployed/a student how the hell have we not started eating each other yet?!?

RUN AMERICA RUN FROM THIS NIGHTMARE! /sarcasm

 

[vultureX21]

To quote Louis Black, "Some countries could be giving shit away every day. Canada's one of those countries and you know what they give away? HEALTH INSURANCE!!!"

With the insurance industry in the US having regulations that basically encourage them to screw customers for higher profits you're trying to tell me that federally mandated health care wouldn't serve EVERYONE better than the current system which only serves those fortunate enough to afford it or work the right job?

People should not have to rely on household cures to heal injuries and sickness because they are afraid of the cost of having them treated professionally. That in and of itself is inhumane. If we as American citizens really believed we stood for morality and right then we'd be happy to protect and care for our own people without making it a financial issue.

 

[Avatar Roku]

It's communism that people think is evil.
I personally like socialism, Canada is kindof socialist and France is very socialist and also very sucessful. So where's the problem?

Canada isn't very socialist actually. We just have better personal economic security thanks to government pensions and unemployment insurance, and we have free health care. Our politicians don't have greedy corporations and millionaires breathing down their throats for privatization.

Believe me, to the average uninformed American, that's so unbelievably socialist. In the grand scheme of things, as you said, it really isn't.

 

[Pseudonym2]

I think it's because people don't know the difference between a political system (communism) and an economic system (socialism).

 

[Nanissimov]

It's communism that people think is evil.
I personally like socialism, Canada is kindof socialist and France is very socialist and also very sucessful. So where's the problem?

Whats wrong with communisim it sounded good on paper its olny because it was russias idea isnt it?

 

[IxionIndustries]

Because, when you partake in Socialism, you're actually working with, COMMUNISM!
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Sorry, couldn't help it. God damned propoganda..

 

[Ridergurl10]

The reason so many people have a problem with socialism is because of its relation with communism. You actually have it backwards communism has its roots in socialism not the other way around, and many governments that began socialist turned communist (ex. Soviet Union). Socialism is a great idea in theory, but tends not to work so well in practice. People fear it because they are uneducated and don't fully understand it, however there are some true roots to their fear, in that a true socialist government has yet to succeed. Elements of socialism do exist in certain governments and seem to work well. Just my opinion and I mean no offense to anyone!

Thing is, Canada, Sweden, and France, among others, are very Socialist, if not purely, and they do fine.

Exactly I said that some governments have elements of socialism in them, but they are not fully socialist that is why they work. Elements of socialist seem to work very well, but capitalism is necessary at least in today's society and true socialism theoretically does not allow for capitalism.

 

[hopeneverdies]

Capitalism: Private ownership of means of production
Socialism: Public ownership of means of production
Communism: Gov't ownership of means of production
Socialism->Communism
And just puttin it out there for US, an old saying: Where GM goes, the country goes

Whats wrong with communisim it sounded good on paper its olny because it was russias idea isnt it?

Everything sounds good on paper, putting into practice isn't very nice. Communism is gov't owns means of production and all people get an equal share ok. In theory. In real life the higher ups get more out of that pot that everyone is dipping money into than the lower workers.
However Capitalism has its flaws too. The whole you take all the risks thing and ending up with little when it gets bad, not fun.

 

[vultureX21]

It's communism that people think is evil.
I personally like socialism, Canada is kindof socialist and France is very socialist and also very sucessful. So where's the problem?

Whats wrong with communisim it sounded good on paper its olny because it was russias idea isnt it?

Communism relies upon the concept that every human being cares equally about every other human being's health and happiness, which is fundamentally untrue. We are, by nature, a selfish species and that desire to possess more and protect our interests more prevents us from working collectively for everyone.

Not everybody, but there is always someone, who will see the potential to get more than the other guy and seize it rather than share the common brotherhood. That is where Communism fails, our own self-preservation and interest overrides our compassion and concern for one another.

It's not pretty, but it is reality.

 

[Avatar Roku]

The reason so many people have a problem with socialism is because of its relation with communism. You actually have it backwards communism has its roots in socialism not the other way around, and many governments that began socialist turned communist (ex. Soviet Union). Socialism is a great idea in theory, but tends not to work so well in practice. People fear it because they are uneducated and don't fully understand it, however there are some true roots to their fear, in that a true socialist government has yet to succeed. Elements of socialism do exist in certain governments and seem to work well. Just my opinion and I mean no offense to anyone!

Thing is, Canada, Sweden, and France, among others, are very Socialist, if not purely, and they do fine.

Exactly I said that some governments have elements of socialism in them, but they are not fully socialist that is why they work. Elements of socialist seem to work very well, but capitalism is necessary at least in today's society and true socialism theoretically does not allow for capitalism.

True. But as you said, the best thing seems to be Capitalist with a fair bit of Socialist mixed in. Which is why I'm appalled that the slightest shift towards a Socialist policy is immediately branded Communist and evil.