Do you consider yourself a socialist?

[el_bryanto]

Or would you describe yourself as a socialist (assuming the stigma, if you perceive one, against socialism didn't exist).

Bryant

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Yes

[SidDithers]

2. I consider myself a Social Democrat..nt

Sid

[nyc 4 Biden]

19. +1 Democratic Socialist here.

http://www.dsausa.org/dsa.html

[Odin2005]

3. Totally.

[saltpoint]

4. I like public education, public transportation, sidewalks, and

stuff like that.

So yep, I reckon I'm a socialist.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. You'll have to define it, but I'll vote "somewhat". nt

[el_bryanto]

14. I think any definition I gave would start an argument over the definition

So chose not to.

Bryant

[comrade snarky]

31. You know this place pretty well don't you?

:evilgrin:

Me? I'm a somewhat socialist. None of the systems work in a pure form.

Except communism... in groups of about 60 or less. When they're poor already, and completely self sufficient. Then it's great!

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. Democratic socialist or social democrat, yes.

Not International-Socialist/Marxist

[dmallind]

7. Nope. I prefer private control of the means of production. NT

[Davis_X_Machina]

8. DSA-USA member...

from its Michael Harrington/Irving Howe days.

Democratic Socialists of America.

[lunatica]

9. Yes. Socialism and Capitalism can co-exist very well

Guaranteed care of all citizens' basic needs with the freedom to make your wealth above and beyond that. It would free up a lot of talent. People could be artists, writers, musicians or anything they truly want to be without getting caught up in the rat race and slavery of survival.

Basic care is the right to have an education, good housing, good medical care and nutritious food.

Totally.

[bananas]

15. Agree, but I voted "not really"

capitalism and socialism are just tools, in some areas one works better than the other, in some areas a mixture of the two works best.

[dmallind]

10. BTW some thoughts on the distinction

This being DU I hope I can assume everybody knows what socialism is.

Maybe though a bit of discussion on what the absenec of socialism is NOT would help.

People who are not socialists, me included, do NOT necessarily (they may of course in some cases, but hardly likely many on DU) reject anyrole for government in providing infrastructure or services
(Personal POV - "common goods" where individual allocation of cost and benefit would be inefficient must always remain government funded. Infrastructure for public use, emergency services, defense, environmental control, basic research, education, healthcare (US excepted only in fact not theory) etc. Plenty of other things can and even should be government funded of course.

It is not socialism to advocate government spending for the public good. It is only socialism to advocate government control of industrial output regardless of whether it is used for the public good or merely commercial purposes.

[skeptical cynic]

11. Democratic Socialist

The Few benefit from socializing their losses, so why shouldn't the Many benefit from socializing their profits?

[NeedleCast]

12. I guess somewhat

As I support a mixed free market economy that has good social practices in place as well.

[OnionPatch]

13. Yes and no.

I strongly believe that individuals should be able to exchange their goods and services in a free market as the basis of the economy. I use the term "free" loosely here because I believe in reasonable regulation to protect consumers, workers and the environment. But I would like to see us socialize things that are too important for profit to be the main motive, like schools, health care, drinking water, etc. Things that people cannot live without, things that would dramatically disrupt our very way of life if they were inaccessible. This provides a safety net and then we can leave the rest to capitalism. I'll sell you my gizmo and you sell me your gizmo, etc. etc. etc. but none of us has to go without health care because some speculators on Wall Street jacks the price of gizmos.

[Statistical]

16. Given that term "socialism" is widely used for diverse economic models it might help to define it.

Socialism is not a rigid philosophy. Economic models with varying amounts of freem-arket vs state driven economy would all be considered socialism. On one end of spectrum you have free (although tighly regulated) markets and capitalism with social interventions (economic/social safety net). At the other extreme you have centrally planned economies and/or state ownership (nationalization) of key industries.

I voted Somewhat because I do not advocate an elimination of capitalism. I would consider myself more of a Western European Socialist (capitalist + strong regulatory structure + progressive taxation + strong social safetynet).

[Dr Morbius]

20. I voted the same way for much the same reason.

Very few people actually know the meaning of socialism.

Capitalism means investment money comes from private sources.
Socialism means investment money comes from society, from the government.
So technically, every economic stimulus bill is socialism.

I think there are far too many purists when it comes to capitalism, and that's because there is a confusion between capitalism and free enterprise. Socialism does not prevent free enterprise. It merely provides capital from the commons. You can have socialist free enterprise; they have it all over Europe. Free enterprise and capitalism go hand in hand, but aren't quite the same thing.

Then there's "sharing the wealth;" some define socialism as government entitlements like education and social security. Not quite socialism; that's social justice, a different concept entirely. The opposite of social justice is social Darwinism. So many people who oppose on principle government entitlements call themselves "capitalists" in an effort to define themselves opposite from what they hate.

I believe capitalism works. I believe some small element of socialism is a good idea, also. I believe in social justice, the idea of extending opportunity to those whose opportunities have been limited. I don't believe in social justice to the extent of unlimited welfare; I don't believe in handouts but I do believe in extending opportunities. Do these beliefs make me a socialist? It depends on how you define socialism. My definition is above, and based on it, I answered "somewhat."

I see no reason I can't call myself a capitalist and still believe government can, and should, invest in infrastructure of all kinds. There's no need, and no room, for ideological purity in pragmatic government.

[Statistical]

25. I agree with all of that. Health Care is one good example.

Capitalism is the best vehicle for a product where prior to deliver nobody realized a market existed. Example would be ipod or cellphones. Trying to use socialism and Democratic process to bring innovation to the people is not a very good fit.

Health care (and fire department, Police protection, court systems, military) on the other hand are services that do not fit capitalist model very well. We keep trying and it just keeps costing more and more and more.

Sometimes Capitalism is the best "vehicle" to get the product/service/technology/innovation to the people. There are other times where Socialism is far better vehicle. Hybrid economies tend to be the most productive. Being a purist can be fun but pure ideologies rarely work in real world.

[Orsino]

17. Not quite. I value capitalism...

...but realize that it needs strong regulation, plus a social safety net, to last.

Capitalism without socialism is untenable. And vice-versa.

[optimator]

18. it all boils down to one question

why do we have a society/nation?
every man for himself has not worked.

[jody]

21. Reminder to take the Political Compass test to see where you are.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

[jody]

22. Do you mean socialist in the original meaning of state ownership of the means of production OR in

the modern sense of a welfare state?

[el_bryanto]

28. See above - defining it would create more issues I think.

[jody]

29. Without a definition the only logical answer is "This is a bullshit poll!". n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. I Like John Lennon's Definition

When asked if he was a socialist Lennon replied that "if socialism means that granny should get her teeth fixed than I'm a socialist".

[DemocratSinceBirth]

24. I Like John Lennon's Definition

When asked if he was a socialist Lennon replied that "if socialism means that granny should get her teeth fixed then I'm a socialist".

[Bluenorthwest]

27. Johhny applied poetry to the political

That really bothers people, making it all simple.

[socialist_n_TN]

26. I voted definitely yes, but....................

I think that that's because the definition of "socialism" is pretty squishy nowdays. In a European country I'd probably be considered pretty centrist.

I've always thought of myself as a small "s" socialist. IOW, I don't belong to any official socialist party, but I have strong socialistic type views. I believe that a freely elected government is the ONLY entity that is big enough and strong enough to provide a check on unregulated capitalism. Every time we've had unregulated capitalism in this country (or anywhere for that matter), it's been a fuckin' DISASTER for average people. How can it NOT be a overall disaster? It's based on greed and greed is one of the MOST negative traits in humanity. Since I'm not a rich corporatist, I consider myself an average person and I want that government control over greed.

I would actually go farther and say that any business that grows beyond a certain size (TBD) and takes a major market share needs pretty heavy regulation and taxation for the benefit of ALL the people of the nation. If you kept the amount of "too big to fail" at a reasonably large amount, you wouldn't stifle free market innovation, but you would have some control.

[hfojvt]

30. do we all agree on a definition of 'socialist'?

This was the first step in the class on socialism, and there were/are a variety of definitions. To some it is about collective ownership of the means of production. To me, it was, and is, more about a social spirit. A spirit of sharing and cooperation and compassion. As long as that spirit is there, then things like equality and collective ownership are irrelevant, and if that spirit is not there, then collective ownership really will not accomplish much.

Another issue is about a purpose of life. Our society's purpose is given as materialistic. Everybody wants more stuff, and cooler stuff and nicer stuff and to go lots of places and do lots of things. That is kinda unrelated to community spirit, but it is also kinda tied in. Because with a materialistic orientation, then most people generally are not important. Stuff is important, and my friends are important insofar as they entertain and protect me, but 98% of the rest of the world is not important.

[Union Yes]

32. To the FUCKING bone. knr

[GreenMetalFlake]

33. Like, totally

[mzmolly]

34. No. One wonders why we allow "them" to define "us" over and over

again.

[struggle4progress]

35. I'm interested in pragmatic policies and politics, not ideological labels

[kctim]

36. Hell no

[eridani]

37. I believe in public tooods, which are socialist

However, not everything is or should be a public good. Governments should stay out of the restaurant business and suchlike; for profit businesses should not run fire departments and libraries and things of that nature.

[nyc 4 Biden]

38. Courtesy of Upton Sinclair...

The American People will take Socialism, but they won't take the label. I certainly proved it in the case of EPIC. Running on the Socialist ticket I got 60,000 votes, and running on the slogan to "End Poverty in California" I got 879,000. I think we simply have to recognize the fact that our enemies have succeeded in spreading the Big Lie. There is no use attacking it by a front attack, it is much better to out-flank them.

Letter to Norman Thomas (25 September 1951)

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Upton_Sinclair

[el_bryanto]

42. Good quote n/t

[Greyhound]

39. Non-posting voters.

Tells the tale of why so many are so nervous.

[troubledamerican]

40. If you drive on a publicly-funded freeway, you are a socialist.

If you get your food from a Grocery Store where deliveries were made on a publicly-funded road, you are a socialist.

If you participate in an economy that is dependent upon publicly-funded Interstate Freeway System, you are a socialist.

[jannyk]

41. Hell Yes!

[Echo In Light]

43. Yes

[Toasterlad]

44. Not Really. I Believe the State Should Cover Basic Societal Needs

such as fire fighting, law enforcement, health care, and programs for the poor. I don't think the addition of health care to the other things paid for by taxation (which NOBODY ever complains about - when was the last time you heard any reasonable person complain about taxes paying for the fire department?) makes me a "socialist". Other than those basic services, I have no problem with capitalism.

[RedCloud]

45. Heaven yes! I want consumers to boycott mean companies!

[shotten99]

46. I also hate consumerism, but....

own an expensive car, mobile phone, clothes..blah blah...

[DailyGrind51]

47. "Capitalism" is only great for non-essential consumer goods, "socialism" should govern

the necessities of life, like public transit, energy production, health-care funding, education, basic nutrition, law enforcement, fire protection, maintenance of infrastructure, etc.

[Poiuyt]

49. That's a great compromise

[Xenotime]

48. It's the only true position a progressive should hold.