Is a Social Security system a form of socialism?

Socialism is a loaded word in the United States, a country where capitalism is the defining system. One way it comes up is when Americans look at government programs, especially Social Security. To understand what the debate is about, it's necessary to first review some terms. read more

Socialism is a loaded word in the United States – a country where capitalism is the prevailing economic system and the basis for the system of government. One situation in which the word tends to comes up is when Americans look at government programs, especially Social Security. read more

Socialism is when the means of production, e.g., factories, land, etc., are socially owned, usually by the state, and not privately owned. Aside from the fact that they both use the word"social", Social Security has nothing in common with socialism. In particular, Social Security has absolutely nothing to do with control of the means of production. read more

Social security is a case in which the socialist way of doing things actually outperforms the capitalist way. In France, from 1947 to 1967, the funds were run solely by Worker's Union rep's. This is the closest we were to having a socialist social security system. read more