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fishwax

(29,146 posts)
92. um, no it's not. It doesn't apply to "a democracy," but rather to
Fri Aug 10, 2018, 04:30 PM
Aug 2018

specific elements that may be present within a democracy. If one were to define "socialist country" as a "[country] in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange [are] owned or regulated by the community as a whole" then your point might have merit, because you could argue that this encompasses every country in existence. But this is a definition of socialism as a concept, not a definition of a specific organization of government. It's not a meaningless definition by any stretch.


Perhaps that is the way the word is used in Great Britain, home of the Oxford dictionary. But that's not how it's used in America.

As I said before, this is actually EXACTLY how it's used in America, and has been for decades. More than a century, even.
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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