Could you define and list some examples or what you mean when you say "socialist country"? With labels like socialism, communism, Nazi, tyranny, regime, etc. being thrown around in the public square not in efforts to contribute to rational discussion on real issues but instead to demonize by use of dishonest emotional manipulation in pursuit of advancing a political agenda, I personally have a hard time understanding what people mean by these terms anymore.
Well, what people just in this one thread have used to define socialism amount to:
its just a clever rouse[sic] to confuse the people. - Ernst Post #4
REAL socialism is government owned farms, industries, etc... think USSR. - Peter G Post #11
the more laws and regulations we create to protect ourselves....the more laws and regulations we have to create to protect ourselves from the laws and regulations that we already created....and after we have too many laws and regulations, we have entered something very close to socialism. - Melons Post #12
Through socialist policies I received an education that my parents couldn't have dreamed of. I had my life saved twice by a 100% socialised health service and when I was out of work after college, I was kept out of the soup kitchens by a welfare state that supported me until I found a job and proceeded to begin to repay that socialist state, through taxes, for my education, health and benefits. - Me Post #19
socialism is workers owning the surplus of their labor. (Or means of production.) Not government-ownership of the economy. - DinoDudeEpic Post #24
Socialism doesn't imply any singular ideology. - Waas Post #29
Socialism's functional definition these days is "whatever I don't like." - Obvious Child Post #38
socialism is force, ...socialism takes from the individual without his or her permission, and redistributes it too other people not institutions for the public good for every one( ie .the general welfare of a state)..socialism, which gives more power to government too be the provider. - Ernst Post #47
socialist is more concerned with control and power, a Marxist is more concerned of up lifting the down trodden and poor --->creating equality in every aspect of life, believe it or not democracy does too, will is why it is bad, because it removes individual liberty. - Ernst Post #49
You're right, ask 100 people what socialism is and you'll get 500 different answers. I know what I mean when I say 'socialism' and some, but not all, of that is good.