The word "socialism" has been thrown around a lot, sometimes with fear and sometimes with hope. It seems that everyone has a different idea as to what socialism means and how it would work in the United States.
According to Dictionary.com, socialism is defined as "a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole." Also, according to Dictionary.com, Democratic socialism is defined as "a form of socialism with a democratic government; the ownership and control of the means of production, capital, land, property, etc., by the community as a whole -- combined with a democratic government"
I decided to ask a few friends what they thought on the matter and why as to gain different perspectives on socialism. Everyone has valid opinions, even if we don't all agree with each other. That is one of the great things about America - we have freedom of speech. Since I am a college student, I really wanted to know about how education and socialism can work together.
What is your political affiliation?
Person A: Country Club Republican
Person B: Democrat
Person C: Very very very Conservative
Person D: Democrat
Good first question. We've got a pretty nice variety here, I think. Knowing one's political affiliation can give you a basic idea of where they stand on most topics.
Who is your top presidential candidate at the moment?
Person A: Marco Rubio
Person B: Bernie Sanders
Person C: Donald Trump or Ben Carson
Person D: Bernie Sanders
Nice follow up and again, another nice variety. Most presidential candidates are represented. Like with knowing one's political affiliation, knowing someone's top presidential candidate can give you a basic idea of where they stand -- just a little more in depth than a general affiliation. For example, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump are both Republicans but both are very different.
How do you define socialism?
Person A: The redistribution of wealth. Making successful people pay more taxes to provide for those who are not, essentially trying to make everyone equal financially.
Person B: Sacrifice for the greater good as determined by the government.
Person C: Giving to the lazy.
Person D: Social ownership of public goods for the good of the society.
OK, finally starting off with the juicy questions. Now here is where you'd expect to see pretty much the same answers, right? It's just a definition of something. But, not everyone views socialism the same way as you can see above. I'm thinking Person D hit it the closest to Dictionary.com's definition.
Do you believe there is a difference in socialism and Democratic socialism? Explain.
Person A: Socialism means equality in the society and democratic socialism means equality in a democratic state
Person B: Yes. Democratic socialism is defined by the people to give up what they want for the greater good. Socialism is just determined by the government.
Person C: Yes, all I know is the article about it from last week.
Person D: No, it's just a title meant to make the concept of socialism more appealing to the American people who are afraid of it.
OK, all but one are pretty similar here, right? No matter what they think socialism is, Democratic socialism is pretty much the same but just with the people involved.
Do you believe we have socialist programs in the US? For example, do you believe the fire department, the military, or the free lunch program is socialist? Why or why not?
Person A: No, I do not consider any of these programs to be socialist. The free lunch program is essential to students who may not be fed otherwise.
Person B: Yes. Taxes and paying for other people to have services.
Person C: Free lunch/healthcare/food stamps/housing/etc: yes. Because people get them without having to lift a finger, because those of us who work hard for our paycheck get to pay for those who don't want to lift a finger (via taxes).
Person D: Yes, we have multiple socialist programs, and they give public access to shared goods.
OK, first off, do their answers fit in with their definition of socialism? For the most part... yes. There could be some arguments, however.
Person A described socialism as "making successful people pay more taxes to provide for those who are not" so one could argue that the students who are on the free lunch program are just less successful than others and need to be provided for, much like Person C stated. However, I also don't believe that students on the free lunch program chose to be born into a situation that they cannot control and I definitely agree with Person A that the program is essential to students.
*The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program to provide nutritionally low cost or free lunches to children each school day.
Do you consider taxes for public schools (K-12) to be Socialist? Why or why not?
Person A: No, I do not because a core education is crucial for all children in America.
Person B: Yes. You're still giving up your own money.
Person C: Yes. I went to a private school growing up, so my parents paid for me and my brothers to go to a private school while also paying for every kid in my town to go to school.
Person D: Yes, it is, everyone gets to share in a free K-12 education
Let's look to see if everyone's answers match up with their personal definitions of socialism. Again, for the most part, yes.
Do you consider reallocation of taxes for free or reduced college tuition to be considered Socialist? Why or why not?
Person A: College is much different from your K-12 education. College is optional for people, it provides opportunities for those that want to take their education to even higher levels to better themselves. The reallocation for free or reduced college tuition is Socialist because there are ways to go to college without being wealthy. Scholarships, grants and student loans make college possible for anyone.
Person B: Yes. Sacrificing profit and revenue for education.
Person C: Yes, absolutely. I will pay for myself and my family, but I will not pay for the depletion of the value of a college degree. Not to mention, "free" college would cost the U.S. $75 billion dollars per year.
Person D: Yes, everyone gets to share in a college education.
All of the answers are yes -- free or reduced college tuition would be considered socialist. I believe that everyone's answers fit with their definitions of socialism, too.
What do you believe the difference is between taxing for funding of public schools (K-12) and taxing for free or reduced college tuition is?
Person A: Taxing for funding of public schools is crucial because as previously stated, it is required by law that children have this basic education, unless they wish to drop out in high school. College is completely optional, and those who have worked hard to be where they are financially should not have to pay for someone who may go to college and think of it as a joke or not take it seriously because it's free.
Person B: Not everyone wants/needs a college degree but everyone needs K-12.
Person C: The government requires children to go to school, not for you to go to college. Again, I don't support paying for things that don't affect you in any way (unless it's a charity that I willingly donate to), but essentially you're paying for people who can't pay for themselves — the difference is the level of schooling required by the government.
Person D: One ends at secondary education and the other would include post-secondary, but other than that they're the same.
OK, now, as you can see, they all have pretty different opinions on what is different. Public school is required by law, not everyone needs a college degree, one doesn't support paying for things that don't affect you in any way and someone else just thinks they're different levels of education and nothing else. All are valid opinions.
