Do you consider yourself a Socialist?

[Lord Halifax]

Its obviously a very broad tradition and I am not thinking on a specific version of Socialism, but the idea of a Socialist society in general.

(and please no discussion of National Socialism...)

[parochial boy]

I guess, but really, political labels are more about identity than they are about actual beliefs.

[Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy]

I used to, but now I'm a social Democrat

[JA]

Interestingly, the older I get the more truly Socialist I become. Perhaps it's due to better understanding of Socialist political theory due to greater maturity, more life experiences, or both. I had enjoyed reading Socialist work, but would always fall back on being a Liberal; now, I simply don't even like (American/Social) Liberalism anymore or even the Democratic Party. I'd only bother to vote for a Democrat openly aligned with Bernie, otherwise I'd stay home or vote third party. And even Bernie is merely a Social Democrat like the European Social Democratic parties claim to be (prior to having adopted third way politics of deregulations, rolling back labor laws, and becoming technocratic representatives of elite global interests).

So, yes, I am a Socialist and proud to be one. I use the Green avatar rather than Socialist one because I tend to align more with far-left Green parties throughout the Western world than the current Socialist parties, since they've proven to be more progressive and socialist in most instances. Ideologically, I'd say I'm closest to being an Eco-Socialist, although some Socialists argue such a political position is unnecessary as true Democratic Socialism is already environmentalist.

[Mr. Reactionary]

lol no.

[Figueira]

I still say "yes" if someone asks me if I'm a socialist, but I don't generally present myself as such.

[Prosperum]

Nope

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Yes.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I'm genuinely not sure. I'm increasingly fond of socialist values and aesthetics, but when it comes to political strategy I'm still more of a social democrat (a real social democrat, not a fake, neoliberal impostor).

Didn't vote.

[Shameless Lefty Hack]

Too ingrained in the American tradition to really accept a socialist self identification.

If you plunked me down in Europe I would probably land in either the left wing of your average neoliberal social democrat party or the right wing of your average socialist party.

(didn't vote, since maybe is probably the best description )

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Absolutely.

[(Still) muted by Kalwejt until March 31]

Of course not.

[Maxwell]

I am a fan of the mixed economy, so I'm not sure.

[Blue3]

In some ways yes, in other ways no.

In the broad definition, just supporting Social Security (and definitely single-payer) is socialism. Which I definitely support.

In the more precise definition about means of production... well I hope that one day soon the technology will exist (such as advanced 3d printing, nanotech fabricators, etc.) for each household to basically own their own means of production. Though that's traditionally not what socialists mean.

I also agree that the basic fundamental ideas behind economics and the free market are true, as long as we're also taking into account market failures, such as acknowledging externalities and that some things must be done for the public good even when unprofitable. And that people aren't always rational or have perfect information, or always driven to maximize profits. Though as said above, I hope this system is upended by overthrowing scarcity as a core assumption, if technology does deliver a post-scarcity society as I hope.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

I'm too conservative to ever consider myself a socialist, I am center-left at most.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I support crash industrialization, but not the collectivization of agriculture.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Oh, who am I kidding.

Yes, I'm a Socialist. Capitalism is a failed economic system premised on bankrupt moral premises, and sooner or later it will have to give way to a system that does a less utterly dreadful job at providing each and every member of society with the means to lead a fulfilling and prosperous life. Values like "competition" and "entrepreneurship" are barbaric relics of our basest animal instincts, and as long as they haven't been utterly crushed and destroyed humanity has no right to call itself civilized. Workers should be in control of their own destiny, and not at the mercy of a parasitic class of rent-seekers. Property is not a right, it's a privilege that the existing State structures grant far more liberally than they should. Being well-fed, well-clothed, healthy, housed in decent living conditions, and valued personally as a human being, meanwhile, are sacred, absolute and unconditional rights that said States keep making a mockery of. Owning more than a certain amount is a moral and social evil that should not be tolerated.

[White Trash]

I am starting to dabble in a few socialist ideas. I still believe in the existence of a free market. I'm probably closer to a social democrat with a strong agrarian tilt.

[Lord Halifax]

I'm genuinely not sure. I'm increasingly fond of socialist values and aesthetics, but when it comes to political strategy I'm still more of a social democrat (a real social democrat, not a fake, neoliberal impostor).

Didn't vote.

So you do not consider Social Democracy to be within the Socialist tradition? Both Attlee, Douglas and Palme considered themselves Socialists.

[Lambsbread]

In the simplest terms, yes. I believe in the principles of socialism. However, I echo Antonio's statement that I'm more of a social democrat as far as actual political beliefs go.

In essence, I'd prefer we had socialism than capitalism, but I'd still prefer the "ideal" capitalism over what we have now. But I'd prefer social democracy above all.

[Lechasseur]

Not at all

[Horus]

Of course not.

[JA]

Oh, who am I kidding.

Yes, I'm a Socialist. Capitalism is a failed economic system premised on bankrupt moral premises, and sooner or later it will have to give way to a system that does a less utterly dreadful job at providing each and every member of society with the means to lead a fulfilling and prosperous life. Values like "competition" and "entrepreneurship" are barbaric relics of our basest animal instincts, and as long as they haven't been utterly crushed and destroyed humanity has no right to call itself civilized. Workers should be in control of their own destiny, and not at the mercy of a parasitic class of rent-seekers. Property is not a right, it's a privilege that the existing State structures grant far more liberally than they should. Being well-fed, well-clothed, healthy, housed in decent living conditions, and valued personally as a human being, meanwhile, are sacred, absolute and unconditional rights that said States keep making a mockery of. Owning more than a certain amount is a moral and social evil that should not be tolerated.

My beliefs exactly.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I'm genuinely not sure. I'm increasingly fond of socialist values and aesthetics, but when it comes to political strategy I'm still more of a social democrat (a real social democrat, not a fake, neoliberal impostor).

Didn't vote.

So you do not consider Social Democracy to be within the Socialist tradition? Both Attlee, Douglas and Palme considered themselves Socialists.

It's absolutely in the socialist tradition, I just wasn't sure to that respect the label applied to myself. But I've now decided it does.

[DC Al Fine]

No. Socialism has a lot issues that need working out. For all the complaints about capitalism I still find it the most efficient and effective economic system when combined with a generous welfare state. Tory or Christian Democrat is a much better label for me.