Answer Key for Quiz: What the Heck is Socialism Anyway?
If you have not yet taken the quiz, please go back and take your best shot.
If you have taken the quiz, here's how it will be scored:
Please give yourself:
- 1 pt. for every correct answer to questions 1-10
- 2 pts. for correct answers to questions 11 - 14
- 3 pts. for correct answer to questions 15 and 16
plus ad hoc bonus points.
Maximum Score: 25 points
Answers:
1. Socialism is defined as:
a. A political theory advocating state ownership of industry
b. An economic system based on state ownership of capital
c. A doctrine advocating the elimination of private property and the exploitative ruling class
d. A stage in Marxist-Leninist theory on the path from capitalism to communism
e. All of the above
Yes, E – all of the above. Unfortunately, socialism is a vague ideology that can be interpreted in many different ways. To some, it is inextricably linked to Marxism and the former Soviet Union. To others, it is a broad-reaching political philosophy that encompasses not only the economic system, but also the political and social systems in society as well.
I believe it is these broad-stroke and all-encompassing definitions of a totally state-controlled society that drive people's fears and trepidation and the right's call of Socialism as the enemy of freedom.
I prefer a more limited definition, which is more truly reflective of how socialism is practiced in most modern states.
Socialism is...a formal economic system in which society exerts considerable control over the nation's wealth and property in the pursuit of social justice.
- From Conservative Resources.com
2. Socialism is NOT:
a. Fascism
b. Communism
c. Totalitarianism
d. Anti-Christian
e. All of the above
Again, E - All (or None) of the Above. See above definition in number 1.
While Socialism, when considered a form of Communism, has been implemented in totalitarian states, it is not a tenet of socialist theory nor a requirement for the state to control all aspects of life, deprive citizens of liberty or freedom of expression, or deny religion. Moreover, totalitarian, authoritarian and corrupt regimes can and do exist regardless of the economic model.
Moreover, in practice, most countries that implement some form of socialism do so in the context of both a democratic government and free markets.
3. The United States’ economy (let’s say, prior to October 2008) would best be described as:
a. Laissez-faire capitalism
b. Corporate capitalism
c. Mixed Economy
d. Market socialism
e. Classic socialism
Answer C: Our economy can best be described as a mixed economy.
From Economypedia.com
The characteristics of a market economy and command economy combine to form a mixed economy. It incorporates elements of both socialism and capitalism. In a mixed economy state owned enterprises and privately owned enterprises co-exist. The economic activities in such an economic system are controlled neither by the business entities that comprise market forces nor by the government. In a mixed economy both these come together and ensure economic development.As per basic definition of mixed economy, it is an economic system that has incorporated elements of more than one type of economic system. A major example of a mixed economy is the United States of America. Basic elements of mixed economy include centralized economic planning and economic freedom.
Most economies of the world are mixed economies.
4. The form of government in the United States can best be described as:
a. Direct democracy
b. Constitutional Republic
c. Oligarchy
d. Participatory democracy
e. All of the above
f. Both b and d
The U.S. federal government can best be described as a Constitutional Democratic Republic, characterized by elected representatives, with strong elements of participatory democracy. This may seem like a trick question, because some of each answer are true in practice, but I believe that b and d together is the most correct answer. However, give yourself 1 pt. for answering, and another bonus point for thinking hard about it.
For a good discussion of this on Open Salon, see Paul J. O'Rourke's USA Republic or Democracy? Answer: Yes
For more discussion and background, visit Wikipedia - Form of Government
5. The following countries could be considered socialist in Marxist or classical terms:
a. Cuba
b. Sweden
c. Canada
d. Great Britain
e. All of the Above
While some argue that the European countries are socialist, in truth, they are social democracies with mixed economies. Their economies include free markets as well as state-provided socialist programs.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, most countries, including communist ones, turned toward opening their markets and relaxing centralized command and control. Exceptions are Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam, which have maintained a strong Marxist, communist centrally controlled bureaucracy and economy.
Cuba: Cuba is one of the most Socialist nations, as it has a mostly state-run economy, universal healthcare, government-paid education at all levels, and a number of of social programs. It does not have a stock exchange.from List of Socialist Countries
See also: Wikipedia - List of Socialist Countries and this Harvard research paper in PDF format Yamaoka Research Paper
6. These U.S, government program(s) could be considered socialist in nature:
a. Social Security
b. Schools and Libraries
c. Unemployment Insurance
d. Maintaining an Active Military
e. All of the Above
There is probably no definitive reference on this issue, but all of these programs use public resources, run by the government, for the common good - a basic socialist tenet. For good reading, I recommend this article
Socialism by Any Other Name is Probably a US Government Program by Joseph Lazzaro in www.bloggingstocks.com
Section 2: Comparative Economies: TRUE or FALSE
7. Since 1995, the United States has consistently scored among the top three countries in the Index of Economic Freedoms. FALSE
The United States has ranked between 5th and 8th over the last ten years. Hong Kong and Singapore have been ranked first and second, respectively, over the same period.
The Index of Economic Freedom measures the degree of economic freedom in the world's countries using a set of 10 economic measures. It is compiled by the Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal. Measures include business, trade, monetary, investment and labor freedom, as well as measures of private property rights and government size.
The Index's 2008 definition of economic freedom is the following; "The highest form of economic freedom provides an absolute right of property ownership, fully realized freedoms of movement for labor, capital, and goods, and an absolute absence of coercion or constraint of economic liberty beyond the extent necessary for citizens to protect and maintain liberty itself."-from Wikipedia
See Wikipedia for more, as well as the complete list and historical rankings. Or download the current list directly from Heritage.org Economic Index
8. The U.S. ranked 18th in the 2008 Democracy Index rankings compiled by The Economist. TRUE
This is True. The U.S. ranked 18th of 167 countries. Sweden was ranked first and North Korea last.
The Economist has in a study examined the state of democracy in 167 countries and attempted to quantify this with an Economist Intelligence Unit Index of Democracy which focused on five general categories; electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture
- from Wikipedia
For the complete list and methodology, download the PDF from The Economist.
9. The economy of the Republic of Iceland, called the Nordic Tiger, can be said to be an example of the successful implementation of Free Market philosophy and loosening regulations. FALSE
Egads!
See Telegraph's Iceland's Dreams Go Up in Smoke and more from Wikipedia Icelandic Financial Crisis and Economy of Iceland
.10. China’s economy can be considered primarily to be a Soviet-style centrally planned communist one. FALSE
Another trick question. China remains a socialized state with totalitarian characeteristics and the repressive government that goes along with communism. However, China's economic growth has been fueled by moving closer to privatizing and opening up its markets.
For a good discussion, see The Economist including the comments on the story.
Give yourself 1 point for either a True or False.
Section 3: Taxes and an Historical Perspective. Fill in the Blanks
11. President (or Candidate) Obama has been called “Redistributionist in Chief” by: John McCain, the Republican National Committee, Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, a Christmas ornament
12. President Eisenhower cut the highest marginal tax rate from 92% to 91%.
Yep. In 1953, when he took office, the top marginal income tax rate was 92%. Ike thought this was outrageous. He cut the rate to 91%.
See Republican Socialists of America for some very interesting reading and historical perspective.
13. Under President Clinton [and George W. Bush at the beginning of his term] , the highest marginal tax rate was 39.5%.
The Thin Line between Socialism and Capitalist Nirvana
14. The Earned Income Tax Credit was initiated by President Ford and expanded under President Reagan.
"It was Reagan who famously proclaimed the bipartisan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 'the best anti-poverty, the best pro-family, the best job creation measure to come out of Congress.'"
- from PerrspectivesSee the above article for a great debunking of some of the Chicken Little talking points. One other somewhat related, but definitely worthwhile quote is:
First, as Salon, the Washington Monthly and the New Republic among others quickly pointed out last fall, the Republican braintrust is willfully sidestepping the fact that essentially all working Americans pay Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes starting with very first dollar they earn. Importantly, as the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center concluded in a 2003 analysis, "three quarters of filers pay more in payroll taxes than in income taxes."
For more context on the Reagan "revolution" and perspectives re: Obama as socialist, see David Gergen on Reagan's Socialist Tendenciesand Adam Smith and Ronald Reagan: Socialists
Section 4: Putting it all Together. Analogies.
15. Most Americans fear (and/or disdain) socialism because they believe:
a. They will not be allowed to choose our own doctors and be denied surgeries
b. We will become lazy Frenchies sitting around drinking wine and getting 6 weeks of vacation
c. Whatever Rush tells them to
d. It will mean higher taxes and less efficient services
e. It is a form of redistribution of wealth that is essentially un-American and unfair
f. Frankly, I have no idea, but am pretty sure it is some or all of the above.
Well, yes. Here I get to opine a bit. I understand these fears (well, except for c) and skepticism. I believe there is the potential for inefficiencies and corruption in a government-run system. I get the fears and unease with moral hazard and the distaste for working hard to subsidize others who aren't working as hard.
What I don't get is the notion that what we're doing NOW is working so well. I don't know very many (any insured?) people who get to choose their own doctors or don't require pre-approval for non-emergency surgery. We currently subsidize the uninsured, not just in health insurance, but in other areas as well and we have been engaged in an effort to subsidize the wealthy over the last ten years.
I don't have the answers and outlining solutions is beyond the scope of this quiz post. I just thought I'd reflect on the common criticisms as a jumping off point for further reflection.
16. Socialism is to democracy as Ham is to:
a. Observant Muslims and Jews
b. Rush Limbaugh
c. Tofu
d. Green Eggs
Think about it.
Scores and Prizes
0 - 4 - Rush Lemmingbaugh, you've been listening to too much right-wing propaganda. And your prize, the Rush Bobblehead
5-9 - Ostrich, not sure you've been paying attention. Your prize, the Joe the Plumber poster.
10-16 - Student, you're getting there. And your prize, Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations
17-22 - PoliSci Whiz, you know your terms and have a pretty good grasp of history. You win, some Swedish Fish along with a model Maglev train.
23-25 - Professor. Congratulations - you've been paying attention and probably have more clarity on these things than the rest of us. You win - a spot in Saturn's Government for Grownups series - please add your insights or contribute your ideas in your own post. Plus, you win all of the above prizes and some Doberge cake and a Margarita (it's the best thing I can think of!).
Thanks for playing!
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Nikki Stern
emma peel
nolalibrarian
AtHomePilgrim
Tom Cordle
Verbal Remedy AKA Denise
Salon.com
Comments
Loved, loved, loved this and i got a 17.
Damn, now I want some cake!
Stellaa - they should put THAT on a T-shirt or the front page or something.
mah & ladymiko - are you sure you didn't get the bonus points? Thanks so much for actually taking and scoring yourselves!
The Invisible Hand.
ha!
(And I want my Swedish fish.)
ok, I'm taking cold medicine and it's late, so I'll stop typing now.
thanks everyone for visiting.
Now if only I was as good at explaining this stuff to my relatives as you are at explaining it here.
The thing I've been saying lately to those who pull the "They're going to take away our freedoms!" line is "Oh, like you're so free now." You pay $700 a month for catastrophic-only insurance, you can't get a divorce because you need your husband's insurance, you can't afford to look for another job because of your pre-existing condition, you drive 130 miles once a week to the Navy base to get drugs there, you hate your doctor but you're stuck with him because he's the only local specialist approved by your HMO, you needed a cap replaced but couldn't afford it so you waited and then they had to pull that tooth. And on and on. And then there's me, on the "Does this count as an emergency yet or do I need to wait until tomorrow to go to the ER?" plan. How could socialist heath care be worse?