Changes

*Behreandt, Dennis (September 3, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33168-going-with-fair-healthcare Going With “Fair” Healthcare]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 6, 2019.</ref> ideology based on [[hate]], [[envy]], and [[mass murder]]<ref>Behreandt, Dennis (September 9, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33174-the-deadly-history-of-socialism The Deadly History of Socialism]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 9, 2019.</ref> and which promotes [[totalitarianism]] at the expense of [[individual freedom]].<ref>Scaliger, Charles (September 2, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33169-socialism-explained Socialism Explained]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 2, 2019.</ref> The movement is responsible for the murder of at least 94 million people over the past 100 years.<ref>Werth, Nicolas; Panné, Jean-Louis; Paczkowski, Andrzej; Bartosek, Karel; Margolin, Jean-Louis (October 1999), Courtois, Stéphane, ed., ''[https://archive.org/stream/TheBlackBookofCommunism10/the-black-book-of-communism-jean-louis-margolin-1999-communism_djvu.txt  The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression]'', Harvard University Press, p. 4.</ref> The fundamental flaw of socialism is the belief that one person has the right to the fruit of another person's [[labor]] and [[private property]], for example, that healthcare paid by others is a "human right." Socialism has led to increased bureaucracy and reduced freedom even in Scandinavia,<ref>Meninger, Edward J. (September 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33173-do-it-like-denmark Do It Like Denmark?] ''The New American''. Retrieved September 10, 2019.</ref> and it has been tried and failed in countries such as the [[United Kingdom]], [[India]], and [[Israel]] during the 20th century.<ref>Edwards, Lee (October 16, 2019). [https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/three-nations-tried-socialism-and-rejected-it Three Nations That Tried Socialism and Rejected It]. ''The Heritage Foundation''. Retrieved October 23, 2019.</ref>

*Behreandt, Dennis (September 3, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33168-going-with-fair-healthcare Going With “Fair” Healthcare]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 6, 2019.</ref> ideology based on [[hate]], [[envy]], and [[mass murder]]<ref>Behreandt, Dennis (September 9, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33174-the-deadly-history-of-socialism The Deadly History of Socialism]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 9, 2019.</ref> and which promotes [[totalitarianism]] at the expense of [[individual freedom]].<ref>Scaliger, Charles (September 2, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33169-socialism-explained Socialism Explained]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 2, 2019.</ref> The movement is responsible for the murder of at least 94 million people over the past 100 years.<ref>Werth, Nicolas; Panné, Jean-Louis; Paczkowski, Andrzej; Bartosek, Karel; Margolin, Jean-Louis (October 1999), Courtois, Stéphane, ed., ''[https://archive.org/stream/TheBlackBookofCommunism10/the-black-book-of-communism-jean-louis-margolin-1999-communism_djvu.txt  The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression]'', Harvard University Press, p. 4.</ref> The fundamental flaw of socialism is the belief that one person has the right to the fruit of another person's [[labor]] and [[private property]], for example, that healthcare paid by others is a "human right." Socialism has led to increased bureaucracy and reduced freedom even in Scandinavia,<ref>Meninger, Edward J. (September 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33173-do-it-like-denmark Do It Like Denmark?] ''The New American''. Retrieved September 10, 2019.</ref> and it has been tried and failed in countries such as the [[United Kingdom]], [[India]], and [[Israel]] during the 20th century.<ref>Edwards, Lee (October 16, 2019). [https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/commentary/three-nations-tried-socialism-and-rejected-it Three Nations That Tried Socialism and Rejected It]. ''The Heritage Foundation''. Retrieved October 23, 2019.</ref>

As a political theory, socialism relies on scapegoating to build a constituent base. For example, that "the rich," or "Jews," or "millionaires and billionaires," or "the top 1%" are responsible for all of humanities' ills. Socialism targets the youth of a nation and people without life experience using naive, simplistic,  and "feel good" slogans ("[[Medicare for All]]," "tuition free education," "free housing." etc., for example) that on the surface appeal to self-interest, while asking nothing of the hearers to contribute to the economic well being of their fellow citizens or society. Once in power, Socialists compel compliance with [[authoritarian]] decrees (the "individual mandate" and "shared responsibility payment," for example) suppress criticism, censor [[free speech]], silence or exterminate opposition in order to maintain power for themselves. There is nothing [[democracy|democratic]] about socialism, and terms such as [[democratic socialism]] or [[social democracy]] are [[oxymoron]]s that are typical of Marxist "double speak" and "double think." Socialist leaders often live in extreme luxury even as they fail to improve the lives of those they rule over,<ref>Lott, Maxim (March 11, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-socialist-from-chavez-to-castro-leaders-who-lived-the-high-life Lifestyles of the Rich and Socialist: From Chavez to Castro, leaders who lived the high life]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 11, 2019.<br>See also:

As a political theory, socialism relies on scapegoating to build a constituent base. For example, that "the rich," or "Jews," or "millionaires and billionaires," or "the top 1%" are responsible for all of humanity's ills. Socialism targets the youth of a nation and people without life experience using naive, simplistic,  and "feel good" slogans ("[[Medicare for All]]," "tuition-free education," "free housing." etc., for example) that on the surface appeal to self-interest, while asking nothing of the hearers to contribute to the economic well being of their fellow citizens or society. Once in power, Socialists compel compliance with [[authoritarian]] decrees (the "individual mandate" and "shared responsibility payment," for example) suppress criticism, censor [[free speech]], silence or exterminate opposition in order to maintain power for themselves. There is nothing [[democracy|democratic]] about socialism, and terms such as [[democratic socialism]] or [[social democracy]] are [[oxymoron]]s that are typical of Marxist "double speak" and "double think." Socialist leaders often live in extreme luxury even as they fail to improve the lives of those they rule over,<ref>Lott, Maxim (March 11, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-socialist-from-chavez-to-castro-leaders-who-lived-the-high-life Lifestyles of the Rich and Socialist: From Chavez to Castro, leaders who lived the high life]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 11, 2019.<br>See also:

*Snowball, Timothy (May 15, 2019). [https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/443228-socialism-is-neither-a-fair-nor-progressive-political-philosophy Socialism is neither a fair nor 'progressive' political philosophy]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 15, 2019.

*Snowball, Timothy (May 15, 2019). [https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/443228-socialism-is-neither-a-fair-nor-progressive-political-philosophy Socialism is neither a fair nor 'progressive' political philosophy]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 15, 2019.

*Jasper, William F. (September 11, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33175-socialism-for-your-benefit-or-theirs Socialism: For Your Benefit — or Theirs?] ''The New American''. Retrieved September 11, 2019.</ref> and its destructive effects on society often are irreversible.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (May 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/10/blue-state-blues-venezuela-south-africa-show-socialism-difficult-to-undo/ Blue State Blues: Venezuela, South Africa Show Socialism Difficult to Undo]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 10, 2019.<br>See also:

*Jasper, William F. (September 11, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/33175-socialism-for-your-benefit-or-theirs Socialism: For Your Benefit — or Theirs?] ''The New American''. Retrieved September 11, 2019.</ref> and its destructive effects on society often are irreversible.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (May 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/10/blue-state-blues-venezuela-south-africa-show-socialism-difficult-to-undo/ Blue State Blues: Venezuela, South Africa Show Socialism Difficult to Undo]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 10, 2019.<br>See also:

The second form of Socialism (sometimes called "Revisionism") prevailed in Europe down to the 1970s, and is typified by the [[Fabian Socialism|Fabian Society]] and the British Labour Party. It was inspired by Socialism and closely linked to labor unions that had real power. The goal was for [[Industrial Democracy]], that is, for the government to own ("nationalize") major industries such as coal mining, railways, steel making, shipbuilding, airlines, and banking. Small businesses remained private. The idea was that labor unions controlled the government and therefore unions controlled working conditions and wages for the benefit of workers, regardless of the damage to long-term economic growth.

The second form of Socialism (sometimes called "Revisionism") prevailed in Europe down to the 1970s, and is typified by the [[Fabian Socialism|Fabian Society]] and the British Labour Party. It was inspired by Socialism and closely linked to labor unions that had real power. The goal was for [[Industrial Democracy]], that is, for the government to own ("nationalize") major industries such as coal mining, railways, steel making, shipbuilding, airlines, and banking. Small businesses remained private. The idea was that labor unions controlled the government and therefore unions controlled working conditions and wages for the benefit of workers, regardless of the damage to long-term economic growth.

The Socialists were well organized and after 1918 they bitterly fought the breakaway faction that became the [[Communist]] movement. In recent years major Socialist parties (in Europe and Canada) have sometimes dropped the long-standing demands for state ownership of the means of production and have mostly accepted "Controlled Capitalism". However they remain tied to labor unions and favor liberal policies regarding high taxes and public spending. Conservatives have been negative toward the economics of the second form of socialism. Conservatives complain socialists use government power to redistribute wealth.  

The Socialists were well organized and after 1918 they bitterly fought the breakaway faction that became the [[Communist]] movement. In recent years major Socialist parties (in Europe and Canada) have sometimes dropped the long-standing demands for state ownership of the means of production and have mostly accepted "Controlled Capitalism". However, they remain tied to labor unions and favor liberal policies regarding high taxes and public spending. Conservatives have been negative toward the economics of the second form of socialism. Conservatives complain socialists use government power to redistribute wealth.  

Within the [[European Union]], a form of [[democratic socialism]] was initially viewed as successful, but eventually lead to lowered social equity and a downward spiraling economy, as well as general discontent. Although this acts as a drag on the economy, in democratic countries of the industrialized west, some socialist ideas have been put into practice with varying degree of success. Beginning in 2010 many European countries were racked with rioting and social unrest as governments began to back away from out-of-control entitlements that began bankrupting them and lead to a world financial crisis because of unrestrained debt.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791804575439732358241708.html WSJ; "Obstacle to Deficit Cutting: A Nation on Entitlements"]</ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100929/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_europe_austerity_protests_10 Anti-austerity protests sweep across Europe]</ref><ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/economy-economic-indicators/economic-policy-bailouts/14758032-1.html "Debt crisis pushes Europe toward economic reforms"]</ref>

Within the [[European Union]], a form of [[democratic socialism]] was initially viewed as successful but eventually lead to lowered social equity and a downward spiraling economy, as well as general discontent. Although this acts as a drag on the economy, in democratic countries of the industrialized west, some socialist ideas have been put into practice with varying degrees of success. Beginning in 2010 many European countries were racked with rioting and social unrest as governments began to back away from out-of-control entitlements that began bankrupting them and lead to a world financial crisis because of unrestrained debt.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791804575439732358241708.html WSJ; "Obstacle to Deficit Cutting: A Nation on Entitlements"]</ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100929/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_europe_austerity_protests_10 Anti-austerity protests sweep across Europe]</ref><ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/economy-economic-indicators/economic-policy-bailouts/14758032-1.html "Debt crisis pushes Europe toward economic reforms"]</ref>

===Communal Socialism===

===Communal Socialism===

What Mises identified was that private ownership of the means of production existed in name only under the Nazis and that the actual substance of ownership of the means of production resided in the German government. For it was the German government and not the nominal private owners that exercised all of the substantive powers of ownership: it, not the nominal private owners, decided what was to be produced, in what quantity, by what methods, and to whom it was to be distributed, as well as what prices would be charged and what wages would be paid, and what dividends or other income the nominal private owners would be permitted to receive. The position of the alleged private owners, Mises showed, was reduced essentially to that of government pensioners.

What Mises identified was that private ownership of the means of production existed in name only under the Nazis and that the actual substance of ownership of the means of production resided in the German government. For it was the German government and not the nominal private owners that exercised all of the substantive powers of ownership: it, not the nominal private owners, decided what was to be produced, in what quantity, by what methods, and to whom it was to be distributed, as well as what prices would be charged and what wages would be paid, and what dividends or other income the nominal private owners would be permitted to receive. The position of the alleged private owners, Mises showed, was reduced essentially to that of government pensioners.

De facto government ownership of the means of production, as Mises termed it, was logically implied by such fundamental collectivist principles embraced by the Nazis as that the common good comes before the private good and the individual exists as a means to the ends of the State. If the individual is a means to the ends of the State, so too, of course, is his property. Just as he is owned by the State, his property is also owned by the State.}} Hitler found the notion of single party control very attractive. That, and the idea of creating a "New man" in a godless socialist order, enlighteded by science, victorious over their oppressors. Nazism was outlawed at the end of [[World War II]].

De facto government ownership of the means of production, as Mises termed it, was logically implied by such fundamental collectivist principles embraced by the Nazis as that the common good comes before the private good and the individual exists as a means to the ends of the State. If the individual is a means to the ends of the State, so too, of course, is his property. Just as he is owned by the State, his property is also owned by the State.}} Hitler found the notion of single-party control very attractive. That, and the idea of creating a "New man" in a godless socialist order, enlightened by science, victorious over their oppressors. Nazism was outlawed at the end of [[World War II]].

===Commonalities of Communism, Nazism and liberalism===

===Commonalities of Communism, Nazism and liberalism===

===Britain, the Labour Party and Socialism===

===Britain, the Labour Party and Socialism===

At its inception, the [[Labour Party]] borrowed socialist ideas by committing itself to a program of nationalization under 'Clause 4' of their Constitution, but was always fundamentally committed to the British system of parliamentary government. Clause 4 was formally dropped after the election of [[Tony Blair]] as Party leader, signaling the creation of 'New' Labour.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/21/newsid_2515000/2515825.stm</ref>  The British governments of 1945-1950 and 1950-1951 under [[Clement Attlee]] implemented the nationalization of several industries and utilities, including coal, steel, water, railways and electricity. Former owners of nationalized industries were compensated.  The best known example is the nationalization of health care to create the [[National Health Service]] (NHS).  This made - literally overnight - health care "free" at the point of delivery for everybody in Britain, and it remains so today.

At its inception, the [[Labour Party]] borrowed socialist ideas by committing itself to a program of nationalization under 'Clause 4' of their Constitution, but was always fundamentally committed to the British system of parliamentary government. Clause 4 was formally dropped after the election of [[Tony Blair]] as Party leader, signaling the creation of 'New' Labour.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/21/newsid_2515000/2515825.stm</ref>  The British governments of 1945-1950 and 1950-1951 under [[Clement Attlee]] implemented the nationalization of several industries and utilities, including coal, steel, water, railways and electricity. Former owners of nationalized industries were compensated.  The best-known example is the nationalization of health care to create the [[National Health Service]] (NHS).  This made - literally overnight - health care "free" at the point of delivery for everybody in Britain, and it remains so today.

In the 1980s under Conservative Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] most of the nationalized industries were returned to the private sector, and public housing has been sold to the residents. These conservative decisions were endorsed by the "New Labour" of Tony Blair, to the annoyance of elderly radicals who fondly remember the poverty and inefficiencies of the old system.

In the 1980s under Conservative Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] most of the nationalized industries were returned to the private sector, and public housing has been sold to the residents. These conservative decisions were endorsed by the "New Labour" of Tony Blair, to the annoyance of elderly radicals who fondly remember the poverty and inefficiencies of the old system.

While the success of the early church as an organic community is often invoked in support of modern socialism, and many communes of the 1960s evoked the Bible, the early organic church was a result of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit among believers, while the "administrators" were humble servants who were examples of self-sacrifice, and who worked with their own hands as needed, (1Cor. 4:9-16) and whose authority was established by manifest Divine attestation, including the pro-active exercise of church discipline being only by supernatural or otherwise spiritual means, not carnal force.<ref>Acts 2:43; 5:5,9,10; 1Cor. 4:19-21; 2Cor. 13:2,3; 2Thes. 3:14,15; 2Tim. 4:2</ref>  

While the success of the early church as an organic community is often invoked in support of modern socialism, and many communes of the 1960s evoked the Bible, the early organic church was a result of the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit among believers, while the "administrators" were humble servants who were examples of self-sacrifice, and who worked with their own hands as needed, (1Cor. 4:9-16) and whose authority was established by manifest Divine attestation, including the pro-active exercise of church discipline being only by supernatural or otherwise spiritual means, not carnal force.<ref>Acts 2:43; 5:5,9,10; 1Cor. 4:19-21; 2Cor. 13:2,3; 2Thes. 3:14,15; 2Tim. 4:2</ref>  

In addition other distinctions, without the unique changes and influence resulting from faith and full surrender to Christ from all the community, and His anointing upon the work, attempts to mimic the communal life of Christians have failed.  

In addition, other distinctions, without the unique changes and influence resulting from faith and full surrender to Christ from all the community, and His anointing upon the work, attempts to mimic the communal life of Christians have failed.  

As one critic of modern-day  socialism states:  

As one critic of modern-day  socialism states:  

[[Karl Marx]] considered socialism to be a transitory stage between capitalism and communism. In his view, socialism is summed up by the expression: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." A major criticism of socialism is that it infringes individual rights in favor of the populace. In a very real sense, politics in the Western World throughout the 20th century was shaped by the conflict between socialist and capitalist governmental policies.

[[Karl Marx]] considered socialism to be a transitory stage between capitalism and communism. In his view, socialism is summed up by the expression: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." A major criticism of socialism is that it infringes individual rights in favor of the populace. In a very real sense, politics in the Western World throughout the 20th century was shaped by the conflict between socialist and capitalist governmental policies.

Although socialist parties are common in Europe, the leading examples all currently embrace some free enterprise, individual property rights and certain other aspects of capitalism although leading European Socialists are very critical of America. In many European countries socialism has been changing to [[Social democracy]].

Although socialist parties are common in Europe, the leading examples all currently embrace some free enterprise, individual property rights and certain other aspects of capitalism although leading European Socialists are very critical of America. In many European countries, socialism has been changing to [[Social democracy]].

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

[[Friedrich Hayek]] and [[Ludwig von Mises]] were important critics of socialism, particularly regarding what is known as the Socialist Calculation Debate.  Hayek and Mises argued that a socialist economy would face information constraints that would prevent even well intentioned planners from efficiently allocating resources.  That is, the planners would not know how much a battleship or a hospital cost, and could not efficiently allocate resources among different choices.  This criticism should be considered as compatible with, but independent of, criticisms based on [[Public choice theory]] that bring into consideration the incentives of political actors.

[[Friedrich Hayek]] and [[Ludwig von Mises]] were important critics of socialism, particularly regarding what is known as the Socialist Calculation Debate.  Hayek and Mises argued that a socialist economy would face information constraints that would prevent even well-intentioned planners from efficiently allocating resources.  That is, the planners would not know how much a battleship or a hospital cost, and could not efficiently allocate resources among different choices.  This criticism should be considered as compatible with, but independent of, criticisms based on [[Public choice theory]] that bring into consideration the incentives of political actors.

Svetlana Kunin, who lived in the Soviet Union until 1980 explains how the system worked:  

Svetlana Kunin, who lived in the Soviet Union until 1980 explains how the system worked:  

==References==

==References==

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{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==External links==

==External links==