Socialist government

Ben Shapiro discusses socialism, notably critiquing the common view that Scandinavian countries such as Finland, Norway, and Denmark are socialist. He argues these countries are fundamentally capitalist as their economies are driven by profit-seeking incentives, not socialist production methods. Shapiro suggests that socialism historically has not generated substantial growth in any country, attributing any economic growth in such systems to state-sponsored capitalism, which subsidizes certain industries at the expense of others. He further claims that socialism, by devaluing the profit motive and promoting redistribution, doesn't contribute to genuine economic growth. This discussion underscores a confusion in terms surrounding socialism and capitalism, potentially misleading voters interested in democratic socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Shapiro stresses the radical aspects often hidden within the democratic socialist agenda, highlighting issues about wealth distribution and the significant influence of corporate and political donations in politics 1.

Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast, discuss the practical implementation of socialism by historical figures like Lenin and Stalin. Lenin initially implemented socialist policies broadly across government and industry, but found it unprofitable leading to a temporary shift towards a mixed economy. Lenin’s strategies didn't fully account for human behavioral incentives, necessitating coercion and violence, notably under Stalin, to enforce the socialist model. This phase of the Soviet Union demonstrated some economic growth, particularly during the 1960s, yet the system ultimately required strict governmental control and planning, which was heavily critiqued for lacking efficiency due to its disregard for market dynamics 2.