The Republicans are masters when it comes to finding and exploiting hot button topics for Democrats. Lately the hot button de jure is often “Socialism.” Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren both identify themselves as having socialist tendencies in many of their policies. Other Democrat candidates seem timid when responding to such accusations. Let’s get smarter.
My Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, Kindle Edition contains the following definitions:
so·cial·ism \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\ n (1837)
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property
b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done
so·cial·ist \ˈsō-sh(ə-)list\ n (1827)
1 : one who advocates or practices socialism
2 cap : a member of a party or political group advocating socialism
— socialist adj, often cap
— so·cial·is·tic \ˌsō-shə-ˈlis-tik\ adj
— so·cial·is·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adv
In a political context the most applicable definition would be “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” But that is not what I hear in the political vitriol being spewed forth these days. Nobody is talking about the government “owning” or “administering” the “production and distribution of goods.” What I hear the pundits talking about is regulation of the production and distribution of goods where unfettered capitalism has ventured beyond the norms of social responsibility. These conversations would not be happening if the capitalists conducted themselves within the limits of social responsibility. We have empowered the capitalists by allowing them to think they have a special preferred place in our economy. The truth is their place is no more special than anyone else’s place – we are all necessary if our economy is to work in a sustainable way.
As the constituents and voters in this republican democracy, we are the ones that must regulate the limits of vitriol we will accept from our candidates for office. When they start throwing around language that is designed to confuse and inflame us, we must push back by withholding our approval of their message. Issues and the handling of issues are important to us because we will bear the brunt of the governmental response to them. The misuse of brands like “socialism” or “socialist” does nothing to inform us about the issues we face together.
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