Tag: Socialism
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Calmly Considered: Socialism vs. Capitalism– Getting Beyond the Memes
"In this month's episode of "Calmly Considered" Michael Kruse and I discuss the complex realities of socialism and capitalism that are so often distorted by simplistic social media memes, caricatures, and politicians seeking re-election." Thanks to Allan Bevere for hosting another fun discussion. Below the video are three articles related to our discussion you may…
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Socialism Is A Freighted Word According To David Bentley Hart. So Why Is He Defending It?
Theologian David Bentley Hart wrote an op-ed Can We Please Relax About 'Socialism'. The byline says, "Only in America is the word freighted with so much perceived menace." As he frames it, socialism is simply about creating a more equitable economy, not about recreating the Soviet Union or Venezuela. This is what people like Sanders…
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Democratic Socialism IS Socialism
This article, Here's the difference between a 'socialist' and a 'Democratic socialist' has been circulating as an explainer as to why "democratic socialism" is different from socialism. Democratic socialists merely believe the government should provide a range of services – like health care and education. People circulate this article as evidence that people who suggest…
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Socialism. You Keep Using That Word …
Many Americans, especially progressives, are now "socialists." The rise of Bernie Sanders has had much to do with it. Yet, when I hear them talk, I keep hearing Inigo Montoya, "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." According to Marxian theory, socialism is a transitional economic…
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Double-Edged Denmark: What we Should Learn
Denmark became a central topic during the Democrats' debate last week. Bernie Sanders calls himself a democratic socialist. Hillary Clinton loves Denmark but dismisses the idea that America can be Denmark. This inspired several articles by various commentators about the truth behind Denmark's economic model (or the Nordic model more generally.) Progressives like the high…
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Should Uncle Sam Chase a Scandinavian Model?
New Geography: Should Uncle Sam Chase a Scandinavian Model? When American progressives dream their future vision of America, no place entices them more than the sparsely populated countries of Scandinavia. After all, here are countries that remain strongly democratic and successfully capitalist, yet appear to have done so despite enormously pervasive welfare systems. … ……
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Are free markets the secret to Sweden’s success?
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Christian Science Monitor: Are free markets the secret to Sweden's success? Nima Sanandaji has written an interesting paper about Sweden. It largely points to the same historical facts that I have mentioned in my previous writings, namely that Sweden during its most free market oriented era, from 1870 to 1950, had the highest rate of…
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Free Market Sweden, Social Democratic America
The American Spectator: Free Market Sweden, Social Democratic America … But two things distinguished Sweden's welfare state from the very beginning. First, Sweden's progressives cleverly marketed their ideas as a way of realizing what they called a folkhemmet (people's home). The emphasis was upon realizing a once-overwhelmingly peasant society's traditional values in a context of…
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Is World Cup soccer socialist?
Christian Science Monitor: Is World Cup soccer socialist? No, and Americans — especially conservatives — should embrace soccer as a democratic and meritocratic game. … … At a deeper level, many Americans – especially conservatives – resent having soccer foisted upon them. Glenn Beck rants, “We don’t want the Word Cup, we don’t like the…
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Does Social Justice Require Socialism?
Acton PowerBlog: Does Social Justice Require Socialism? Robert Sirico This is a recording of an excellent lecture given by Robert Sirico back on April 15. It is about 32 minutes long but well worth the time.