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Thread: American Socialism

  1. #1
    Elephant
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    Default American Socialism

    Where does the US stand in terms of word ranking of socialist states? Have the recent economic troubles and gov't intervention materially increased our leaning in that direction? As I understand it, socialism and democracy exist on a continuum, and everyone falls somewhere in between the posts.

  2. #2
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: American Socialism

    Quote Originally posted by Winston Smith
    As I understand it, socialism and democracy exist on a continuum, and everyone falls somewhere in between the posts.
    That's a fairly huge misunderstanding, then. Socialism is an economic principle, while democracy is a political one. If there were opposites for either (and I would argue that there aren't), then socialism would lie on a continuum with capitalism at the other end, and democracy on a completely separate one with autocracy at its opposite pole.
    Better is heart than a mighty blade
    For him who shall fiercely fight;
    The brave man well shall fight and win,
    Though dull his blade may be.

  3. #3
    Member
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    Default Re: American Socialism

    +1


    Good grief. "Socialism" and "Democracy" as two extremes on a spectrum?! WS, have you been drinking a little too much of the USA! USA! USA! Kool-Aid?

  4. #4
    Elephant
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    Default Re: American Socialism

    Quote Originally posted by ulfhjorr
    Quote Originally posted by Winston Smith
    As I understand it, socialism and democracy exist on a continuum, and everyone falls somewhere in between the posts.
    That's a fairly huge misunderstanding, then. Socialism is an economic principle, while democracy is a political one. If there were opposites for either (and I would argue that there aren't), then socialism would lie on a continuum with capitalism at the other end, and democracy on a completely separate one with autocracy at its opposite pole.
    Ugh. Yeah, I'm a idiot. That should say "...socialism and capitalism exist on a continuum..."

  5. #5
    Stegodon
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    Default Re: American Socialism

    The true 50s Dad has come out, though, hasn't he? :mrgreen:
    Every dialect is a language, but not every language is a dialect. - Einar Haugen

  6. #6
    Elephant
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    Default Re: American Socialism

    Quote Originally posted by Hostile Dialect
    The true 50s Dad has come out, though, hasn't he? :mrgreen:
    Heh. Yeah. That's what happens when you drink a little too much scotch, so. Let that be a lesson to you.

    Too bad - might have been a decent topic if I hadn't fucked it up.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: American Socialism

    It's still a decent topic, however my fourth tequila is preventing me from waxing eloquent.

    Alas, when I'm sober I still have the same problem.

    I hope to see more posts in this thread. I might learn something.

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