Is the World Moving Toward Socialism and Away From Capitalism

[rgray222]

The evidence is beginning to accumulate that the world is experiencing a resurgence of socialist ideas, particularly among the younger demographic, people aged 18-45 years old. Depending on which poll you are reading Socialism gets favorable rating 49% NYT, 53% Cato Institute and 58% from the Sienna Poll. In the United States and Europe, figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have brought democratic socialist policies into the mainstream. By the end of 2025, there were 250 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members holding elected public office across 40 states. This shift does not necessarily indicate a global transition to state socialism or the collapse of capitalism; it does signal that change is arriving.

I find that when you press people about their support for socialism, you get something very different. They describe a capitalist framework with a very wide safety net. They do not describe the abolition of private property or the loss of market systems.

Figuring out exactly what people want will help shape our economic futures. Is Socialism in our future?

[SilentFeathers]

Posted by rgray222 (here)
The evidence is beginning to accumulate that the world is experiencing a resurgence of socialist ideas, particularly among the younger demographic, people aged 18-45 years old. Depending on which poll you are reading Socialism gets favorable rating 49% NYT, 53% Cato Institute and 58% from the Sienna Poll. In the United States and Europe, figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have brought democratic socialist policies into the mainstream. By the end of 2025, there were 250 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members holding elected public office across 40 states. This shift does not necessarily indicate a global transition to state socialism or the collapse of capitalism; it does signal that change is arriving.

I find that when you press people about their support for socialism, you get something very different. They describe a capitalist framework with a very wide safety net. They do not describe the abolition of private property or the loss of market systems.

Figuring out exactly what people want will help shape our economic futures. Is Socialism in our future?

Ignorance and lack of logic, reason, and common sense is a destructive and deadly mental disorder, history has proven this time and time again.

[sdv]

Posted by rgray222 (here)
The evidence is beginning to accumulate that the world is experiencing a resurgence of socialist ideas, particularly among the younger demographic, people aged 18-45 years old. Depending on which poll you are reading Socialism gets favorable rating 49% NYT, 53% Cato Institute and 58% from the Sienna Poll. In the United States and Europe, figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have brought democratic socialist policies into the mainstream. By the end of 2025, there were 250 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members holding elected public office across 40 states. This shift does not necessarily indicate a global transition to state socialism or the collapse of capitalism; it does signal that change is arriving.

I find that when you press people about their support for socialism, you get something very different. They describe a capitalist framework with a very wide safety net. They do not describe the abolition of private property or the loss of market systems.

Figuring out exactly what people want will help shape our economic futures. Is Socialism in our future?

If you look at the success stories of China and Scandinavian countries, a mixed system works in eradicating absolute poverty and ensuring a better standard of living for all.

We should perhaps get away from the attachment of naming and rather focus on what we want to achieve in terms of basic standard of living? Each country creates its own system to suit its particular needs. China calls their system socialism with Chinese characteristics (but led by a political party/movement calling itself communism, so that may still be the ultimate goal, which actually can be seen as a noble vision if you can overcome the knee-jerk Western reaction to that word). Unfortunately, in countries like the US (and perhaps even my own), the rent-seeking wealthy class and self-enriching political class are in control. IMO the impetus to change comes from pain ... those in control will tinker to appease the exploited masses, trying to keep the rent-seeking apparatus intact, and make it appear like positive change. The alternative is perhaps revolution, which can be very destructive initially. China itself went through revolution that caused an immense amount of death and suffering, and it took a long time you get the revolution on a steady track to achieve the upliftment of all its people, as was the intention of the original revolution.

[Bill Ryan]

Do also see these relevant threads:

• The Capitalism Problem
• How Capitalism will Destroy the World

(My $0.02 worth: 'Socialism' may not be the polar opposite of 'Capitalism'. There may well be other systems that can work much more equitably than the current 'western' model, which entirely rewards greed, corruption, exploitation, endless growth which is impossible to sustain, and environmental destruction.)

[Ernie Nemeth]

Capitalism is anachronistic to this game of "Three Card Monte" that our current fiat system resembles.

Add to that the new class of business, the multinational corporation, considered by the courts as 'Uber" human with rights accorded as such, who have no affiliation for any country over another, despite what they may claim.

In such a clime it is no wonder people want a socialist style regime.

Socialism requires acquiescence of the individual to the will of the majority based on ever-changing principles, and overrides individual freedom. Socialism does not recognize fundamental rights except as defined by/for the purposes of the current paradigm. In socialist regimes rights are replaced by privileges - that can be taken away at the whim and whimsy of the state.

Once socialism creeps into a state the outcome is inevitably more socialist control. Socialist control comes in the form of regulation and license, thereby eliminating or severely curtailing innovation and enterprise. The tent of socialism is large, but it relies on standardization and identification. Privacy is the enemy of socialism, and it is the prime target. Once privacy concerns are integrated free speech can be curtailed and an official narrative can be established, taught, enforced, and normalized. (We are here)

Then a true communist regime can begin.
Socialism leads to Communism.

So, is the world moving toward communism and away from capitalism? No. It's moving away from capitalism (free enterprise) toward cronyism and monopoly where we will all be equally powerless and poor.