Originally posted by rwingettIn the UK there still is. We've had a Labour party for over 100 years, it's been one of the biggest two parties since the 20s, and until the 90s it actively pursued redistribution of wealth, nationalisation and the empowerment of unions. Even the current Labour government, which hates the word 'socialism' and has been criticised for copying the Conservatives, is probably to the left of most US Democrats. In fact, it is now reckoned that the UK government is very slightly more right-wing than the general populace, even though on many issues, the UK is easily the most 'Thatcherite' country in Western Europe!
In the early 20th century, in the US (and in England, I believe), there was a very sizable leftist community.
The US was founded on the principles of limited power to the government and the sanctity of private property, amongst other things. Socialism is pretty much unconstitutional there, it seems. Countries such as Sweden could almost be described as socialist, with 70 years of nearly uninterrupted left-wing governments, and in just about every country in Europe socialism (democratic in the West, authoritarian in the East) has had a profound effect and continues to do so.
Originally posted by AcolyteEuropean democratic socialism is just a kinder, gentler form of capitalism.
...The US was founded on the principles of limited power to the government and the sanctity of private property, amongst other things. Socialism is pretty much unconstitutional there, it seems. Countries such as Sweden could almost be described as socialist, with 70 years of nearly uninterrupted left-wing governments, and in just about every country in Euro ...[text shortened]... cratic in the West, authoritarian in the East) has had a profound effect and continues to do so.[/b]