American Socialism?

[JBizzleton]

Ok me and a buddy are debating whether or not America has any socialism aspects to it. I say they have a few he says they have none. Im looking for some thoughts on the subject.

[Taters]

No, America is not at all socialist. It would help if you explained what you meant.

[Rooiakker]

We have a few things in place that promote a mixed economy. (Public infrastructure, social security, etc.) Though nothing truly socialist. The USA has the bare minimum amount of public works required to keep us from revolting, and those things are continuously attacked and defunded.

It's less socialism and more "This will help to shut the workers up."

[Blake's Baby]

What do you mean, the American political system?

Depends what you mean by 'socialism' really. Most people on this site probably follow the 'classical' definition of Marx, Engels and the First International, that would say there's no difference between socialism and communism.

There are also a fair number of Leninists here who think that socialism is a stage in its own right that preceeds communism.

And a few Maoists who seem to think that 'socialism' means workers' control of the state.

So does your 'American socialism' have any of these aspects? Or is there something else to it?

[Fourth Internationalist]

There is no socialism in the U.S.

[Manic Impressive]

It's less socialism and more "This will help to shut the workers up."
It's less that than these things are directly in the interest of the ruling class.

[The Idler]

Yes, the potential of the working-class.

[Anglo-Saxon Philistine]

Socialism as an economic system exists in America only if you equate public ownership with socialism. And you shouldn't, since (1) actual socialists do not consider public ownership to be socialism, and (2) every economic system has had public ownership. It never ceases to amaze me when people act as if the "mixed economy" is some new exciting idea, when public ownership has existed in every capitalist economy.