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pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
21. Please define socialism. This is how Webster's defines it:
Sun Aug 5, 2018, 03:53 PM
Aug 2018

Definition of socialism

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialism

Doing a solid? dchill Aug 2018 #1
This country is chock-full of entities that fit the definition of socialism. Girard442 Aug 2018 #2
you are so right ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #5
Public funding is not socialism. Seriously, that meme needs to stop. It's ignorant. Garrett78 Aug 2018 #9
Please define socialism. This is how Webster's defines it: pnwmom Aug 2018 #21
I think the sewer system would definitely fit definition 1. Girard442 Aug 2018 #38
The sewer system isn't a "means of production" OR a method of "distribution of goods." pnwmom Aug 2018 #42
Based on my econ classes, I'd think Defn #1 should read... Girard442 Aug 2018 #47
You still haven't provided a link. The problem is that the standard definition of the word pnwmom Aug 2018 #52
Here's a good link. Girard442 Aug 2018 #58
But services can be provided by any government -- that doesn't make it a socialist government pnwmom Aug 2018 #59
Now, now pnwmom... GulfCoast66 Aug 2018 #64
LOL, we totally use the dictionary for everything in politics ck4829 Aug 2018 #74
LOL, ignoring the standard, dictionary definition of a word is a GREAT branding strategy. pnwmom Aug 2018 #84
Here's how the Oxford Dictionaries define it fishwax Aug 2018 #88
The problem with that definition is that almost ANY democracy, no matter how capitalistic, pnwmom Aug 2018 #89
but it's a dictionary definition fishwax Aug 2018 #90
The problem with that definition is that it is so all-encompassing that it is meaningless. pnwmom Aug 2018 #91
um, no it's not. It doesn't apply to "a democracy," but rather to fishwax Aug 2018 #92
The Webster's dictionary is based on American usage. The Oxford Dictionary pnwmom Aug 2018 #93
lol -- if the argument is now that an oxford definition isn't good enough fishwax Aug 2018 #94
Since our government is owned by the citizens of the country, funded by the citizens shraby Aug 2018 #3
Insurance n/t KT2000 Aug 2018 #4
republicans want tax dollars for farmers and religious shit JI7 Aug 2018 #6
the military is our common defense ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #14
safety net JI7 Aug 2018 #7
Social Democracy/the Nordic Model is fine. Garrett78 Aug 2018 #8
words don't have inherent meaning, only usages. ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #16
You aren't using a standard, dictionary definition of socialism. pnwmom Aug 2018 #23
No, but they have longstanding definitions. Garrett78 Aug 2018 #29
hence the reason for my post ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #37
call it good government vlyons Aug 2018 #10
I like those ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #17
Recommended. H2O Man Aug 2018 #11
Good government, in a democracy. n/t pnwmom Aug 2018 #12
Good Government was the first phrase that popped into my mind, as well. salin Aug 2018 #13
All governments theoretically spend tax dollars on things that help everyone FBaggins Aug 2018 #15
maybe the difference is "socialism" versus "social spending" ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #19
Ok... but again... what's the alternative? FBaggins Aug 2018 #26
I know that, and you know that, ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #34
You really think "You don't know it... but YOU support socialism" is a winning argument with them? FBaggins Aug 2018 #40
Yes we do. But the word SOCIALISM is the last thing that would help us market the concepts. pnwmom Aug 2018 #44
In a wholly capitalist society, the roads would only be privately built mythology Aug 2018 #61
The "commons" nt earthshine Aug 2018 #18
That's the phrase I like to use. Lochloosa Aug 2018 #27
CIVILIZATION blm Aug 2018 #20
!! excellent answer ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #25
"civilism"? "civility" ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #39
"Social safety net " EndGOPPropaganda Aug 2018 #22
Infrastructure hurl Aug 2018 #24
Government of the people, by the people and for the people. DonViejo Aug 2018 #28
Patriotism LuvLoogie Aug 2018 #30
Infrastructure. JHB Aug 2018 #31
You are conflating two totally different things. Blue_true Aug 2018 #32
I believe that was done intentionally... NurseJackie Aug 2018 #35
Indeed, I am trying to disambiguate them ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #36
I bought the social infrastructure spending is socialism argument for a while. Blue_true Aug 2018 #49
We have Socialism for the rich and Capitalism for the poor. cutroot Aug 2018 #33
It's properly called promoting the general welfare comradebillyboy Aug 2018 #41
Our responsibility librechik Aug 2018 #43
Democratic Party Principles Since Forever Hekate Aug 2018 #45
Investment. JustABozoOnThisBus Aug 2018 #46
Why do you need a separate label? brer cat Aug 2018 #48
Promoting the "general welfare" of the people. NT Adrahil Aug 2018 #50
I prefer the term "public investments" meow2u3 Aug 2018 #51
When I was in grade school we were taught that this was called mn9driver Aug 2018 #53
how about calling it a "New Deal"? DBoon Aug 2018 #54
Social safety net. Social spending. Public interest. Crunchy Frog Aug 2018 #55
The general welfare eallen Aug 2018 #56
⬆️ As clearly stated in the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution JDC Aug 2018 #60
Democratic Socialism? dogman Aug 2018 #57
+1 PDittie Aug 2018 #62
Social Democrat would be FAR better to be used than Democratic Socialist. OnDoutside Aug 2018 #82
Do a little bit more studying social about social democrat v. democratic socialist dear friends. tirebiter Aug 2018 #63
That has all been fundamental to the Democratic Party since FDR if not longer Stinky The Clown Aug 2018 #65
Much of the New Deal was based on 1930s European Corporatism, OilemFirchen Aug 2018 #66
Good government. kacekwl Aug 2018 #67
Honest leadership with decency, respect and concern for all people. VOX Aug 2018 #68
That's an easy answer. . . MaryELease Aug 2018 #69
Stinky The Clown called it a few post up. Democratic Governance. GulfCoast66 Aug 2018 #70
Civilization or Overcoming Evil with Good theophilus Aug 2018 #71
Compatriotism. Symbiosis. Societal reciprocation. Humanism. Bluepinky Aug 2018 #72
Money is like manure, if you spread it around it makes things grow! yortsed snacilbuper Aug 2018 #73
I'm pretty sure the right wing will be calling compassion a form of socialism soon enough ck4829 Aug 2018 #75
Call it "Government Aligned with Democratic Party Core Values" lapucelle Aug 2018 #76
A constitutionally limited representative republic... NCTraveler Aug 2018 #77
We need to change the meaning of the word in the minds of the sheeple. Vinca Aug 2018 #78
Pick some Bible phrases that fit. greymattermom Aug 2018 #79
The American Way scarletlib Aug 2018 #80
Calling that stuff socialism is like being an assisted euthanasia advocate but saying you Lee-Lee Aug 2018 #81
Common good get the red out Aug 2018 #83
In the United States, the label of "socialism" has long been applied to any government intervention fishwax Aug 2018 #85
yes - excellent restatement of the issue ProfessorPlum Aug 2018 #87
Call it "Public Funding" or "Funding the Commons" Caliman73 Aug 2018 #86
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