describe some countries that have strong socialist influences. what are their characteristics?
435734
This is a pretty broad question.\n\nFirst, a basic review of the political spectrum:\n\nIn theory, you have communism on the far left and fascism on the far right. The distribution from left to right goes something like this:\n\ncommunism, socialism, liberalism, conservatism, fascism\n\nwith other steps in between of course.\n\nSince socialism is associated with the left side of the political spectrum, many people confuse it with communism. Opponents of socialism tend to use both words interchangeably in order to imply that the failures of communism are present with socialism as well; in other words, to confuse people and make socialism sound bad.\n\nIn general, the farther you move to either extreme (either communism or fascism), the more centralized the government tends to become.\n\nDemocracy is represented by the central portion: liberalism and conservatism.\n\nMost European nations practice socialism to some degree or another. Some are very successful at it (e.g. Sweden), others are having more problems with it (e.g. France). In general, however, in socialist nations like France where there are social problems, the problems stem not from socialism itself but from other factors (e.g. very high numbers of immigrants, etc...).\n\nSince socialism tends to back a system where there is a back-up plan to assist those who are not flourishing in society due to lack of employment, low pay rates, etc..., then any government program that attempts to help those who are not flourishing could theoretically be called socialist. In this sense, socialism is being constrasted with a laissez-faire system in which the market is allowed to operate with complete independence. However, even those who vehemently oppose socialism have to agree that a completely free market would result in juvenile sweat shops, endentured servitude, and a lot of other activities that are not good for one segment of society or another unless there were laws in place to prevent these things.\n\nIn other words, a completely free market with no legal intervention would be a pretty ugly place. Certain laws and social programs have to be developed to keep society equitable for all. Where to draw the line is the major question. \n\nFor example: Is public education, child care, etc... something each parent should be responsible for, or should society pitch in as well? Personally, I think it's obvious that society as a whole benefits from educated children, so society as a whole should help pay for education. Think of it this way: if education was only available to the wealthy, then those who grew up uneducated would become a drain on society and crime rates would sky rocket. So you can either pay for education or pay for increased police forces; take your pick. Likewise, society benefits from assisting families with child care so parents can work. If people can't find affordable health care, they'll just stay home with their kid(s) and collect unemployment. Which is worse?
112133
1. Russia\n2. China\nand the list goes on and on. Check out this site for the complete list.
103591
China, Cuba, Venzula,Mozembeque are a few.\n\nA communist country as defined by marx in the communist manefesto has not and will not exsist
824408
Well the most socialist that includes a free market and democratically elected government that I know of is Sweden.. Their gov. guarantees all of what you said Housing, Education, Health care, retirement as well as child care. This government has gotten so large that  65- 70% of all workers work directly or indirectly for the government. then again close to 70% of their paycheck goes to taxes. \nThis is the best unbiased example I can give of a free socialist state.\n\nThat choice is a perfectly valid choice for some people and the Swedes seem reasonably happy with it.\n\nThat said, I am not an advocate of a similar system here. Here are my reasons why\n-The Swedish economy per capita went from being one of europes strongest at the turn of the century to one of the weakest\n- High taxation rate drives private capital elsewhere and is one reason why the Government itself is the majority employer in Sweden. This has greatly reduced individual opportunity  to make any significant improvement in economic status..\n-with the Government providing housing health care and child care there is little use for marriage as an institution. The primary purpose of marriage is to provide a financially stable and nurturing environment in order to raise a family. In Sweden the Government has taken over these rolls  You may disagree with me but the statistics speak for themselves close to 50% of all couples in Sweden do not marry and the numbers are increasing. This in turn has lead to a negative population growth the birthrate in Sweden in among the lowest in the E.U.\n- In the end with a negative population growth and huge entitlements from the govt the populace ages and the whole system begins to collapse on itself. this is already starting in Sweden. this to a much lesser degree is happening here when it comes to social security to give you an example.\n\nI chose Sweden because it is a Socialist society born of democracy and not of totalitarianism as in such places as Cuba. this most embodies the path advocated by American socialist. I have tried to relate in an honest and unbiased  presentation the facts and why I object to that type of system and left the rhetoric to others. My point is a socialist state such as Swedens when transfered to a much more populace state like the US has even more difficulty sustaining itself. Sweden has managed to do it only by having a modest population and having the good fortune of substantial Oil revenues to bolster the tax base. My other point is that The big brother government tends to break down basic social structures over time, stiffel entrepreneurship and personal wealth generation and lessen opportunity that is the back bone of what has made America what it is.\n\nYou might look at Sweden and say sounds like paradise and you are entitled to that choice it is as valid as mine. I am not saying socialism is wrong. I am saying it is wrong for me and I believe wrong for my fellow citizens.
872581
North Korea, Russia, China, Venezuela, Colombia, Congo, South Africa, Belarus, Mexico, Serbia, and Myanmar.\n\nTurkey if you consider how they've illegalized and pursued the Kurdish Worker Party when Palestinians have allowed Hamas.  Saudi Arabia too, but they're not that extreme since they appreciate how oil helps build their infrastructure (which will lead to either a war or massive exodus 70-80 years from now and extreme National tension starting in 35-40 years).
201004
The French Revolution was a major turning point in European history.  The major socialist revolutions of the twentieth century in Russia, China and Cuba were inspired the French example. \n\nSome other consequences included:\n\nPower remained centralized anew, but the door was open for role of wealth and merit, not heritage to become important.\n\nCitizenship, political rights: emerging liberalism \n\nEmergence of bourgeoisie, as in England, points toward Industrial Revolution, and toward\n\nRise of nationalism: nation (people) as sovereign \n\nPower of people (sans-culottes): toward socialism\n\nI've included links with more information.
425266
__Definitions\n\n  The term "First World" refers to so called developed, capitalist, industrial countries, roughly, a bloc of countries aligned with the United States after word war II, with more or less common political and economic interests: North America, Western Europe, Japan and Australia. \n\nFirst World - Industrialized Countries, within the Western European and United States' Sphere of Influence \nNATO Member States during the Cold War \n   \nBelgium, Canada, Denmark, \nFrance,  Germany (West), Greece, \nIceland, Italy, Luxembourg, \nNetherlands, Norway, Portugal, \nSpain (since 1982), Turkey, United Kingdom,\nUSA     \n      \nUS Aligned States     \nIsrael Japan Korea (South) \n      \nFormer British Colonies     \nAustralia New Zealand   \n      \nNeutral and more or less industrialized capitalist countries \nAustria  Ireland Sweden \nSwitzerland   \n\n\n\n  "Second World" refers to the former communist-socialist, industrial states, (formerly the Eastern bloc, the territory and sphere of influence of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic) today: Russia, Eastern Europe (e.g., Poland) and some of the Turk States (e.g., Kazakhstan) as well as China.\n\n Second World Country List \n Country formerly part of: Region \nAlbania * Southern Europe \nArmenia Soviet Union Western Asia \nAzerbaijan Soviet Union Western Asia \nBelarus Soviet Union Eastern Europe \nBosnia and Herzegovina Yugoslavia Southern Europe \nBulgaria   Eastern Europe \nCroatia (Hrvatska) Yugoslavia Southern Europe \nCzech Republic Czechoslovakia Eastern Europe \nEstonia annexed by Soviet Union** Northern Europe \nGeorgia Soviet Union Western Asia \nEast Germany   Western Europe \nHungary   Eastern Europe \nKazakhstan Soviet Union South-Central Asia \nKyrgyzstan Soviet Union South-Central Asia \nLatvia annexed by Soviet Union** Northern Europe \nLithuania annexed by Soviet Union** Northern Europe \nMacedonia Yugoslavia Southern Europe \nMoldova Soviet Union Eastern Europe \nPoland   Eastern Europe \nRomania   Eastern Europe \nRussia Soviet Union Northern Europe/Asia \nSerbia and Montenegro Yugoslavia Southern Europe \nSlovakia Czechoslovakia Eastern Europe \nSlovenia Yugoslavia Southern Europe \nTajikistan Soviet Union South-Central Asia \nTurkmenistan Soviet Union South-Central Asia \nUkraine Soviet Union Eastern Europe \nUzbekistan Soviet Union South-Central Asia \n \n\n(Formerly) Communist States in Asia *** \nChina   Eastern Asia \nKorea (North) Korea Eastern Asia \nLao PDR   South East Asia \nMongolia**** China, until 1921 Eastern Asia \nViet Nam (North)   South East Asia \n\n \n "Third World" are all the other countries, today often used to roughly describe the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.\nThe term Third World includes as well capitalist (e.g., Venezuela) and communist (e.g., North Korea) countries as very rich (e.g., Saudi Arabia) and very poor (e.g., Mali) countries.\n\n\n\n \n  The term "Fourth World" first came into use in 1974 with the publication of Shuswap Chief George Manuel's:  The fourth world : an Indian reality (amazon link to the book), the term refers to nations (cultural entities, ethnic groups) of indigenous peoples living within or across state boundaries (nation states).
173554
As mentioned, there are several Communist and Socialist parties in this country.  The major (and I use that term loosely) ones are the Communist Party USA, the Socialist Workers Party, and the Socialist Party USA, though there are many other small and local ones.
199777
they are socialist democratic. it looks like capitalism has the best of them nowadays
505874
China. India is the world's biggest democracy. Population wise. So the US has been working with the Indian Government. But China is still under Communist rule and still hates Capitalists.
102146
Representational democracy.  More or less -- they're actually quite socialist, much like Britain.
862861
I don't see how it could unless its a hypothetical question where reality is ignored.  In todays world look at all the countrys where there is Communism-Cuba,North Korea ,Vietnam, Russia, China and economically from the ones I mentioned only one is doing well-that being China. Cuba , North Korea and Russia have a very high Unemployment rate,  in North Korea there is widespread famine among the people while the leader enjoys shark fin soup and has his every whim fulfilled, in Russia  crime is out of bounds with the Mafia having a firm grasp.  Compare these countrie to the ones that have a socialistic type of Goverment - Germany, in fact most of the European Countries and although life is not perfect evryone makes do-unemployment is at a  acceptable levels  and all the peole lead  satisfying lives with ,because it is socialistic,all having access to healthcare. Socialism simply means that the people financially support their country by taxes and also reap the benfits.  Considering the ridiculou high cost of medical care in this country socialized medicine is one of the options being considered to solve this crisi.  Communism in theory-all share equally- is good but has never worked on a larage ascale for in very country that its been put in place the people in power soon get corrupted simply because all the power is theirs and the people are put secondary to their wants.  Socialism is where  the goverment works on the same basias democracy-people vote into power those they wish to govern but there are more laws that govern their everyday lives and there are more benefits like healthcare available to  all comparable to PPO's but private insurance is also available for those who wish it.  Goverment does influence more the daily lives but freedoms are still   comparable as those in a  democracy.
422631
There are \nDictatorships\nDemocracies\nTheocracies\nRepublic\nConfederacies\nto name a few\n\nOh Socialism is no about government it is about money as is Capitalism, and Fascism.
617202
A very nice country with an interesting culture and people, suffering badly due to the terrible dictatorship of Musharraf.\nA nation suffering under a dictator supported by the stablishment, by first world politicians and multinational corporations, all for the sake of private profit.
92917
There is not, nor has there ever been, a purely socialist state.
982355
Communism is just a more extreme version of socialism.\n\nSocialist countries can have an element of democracy, the US, UK, France, Germany etc have socialist aspects.\n\nFor example, welfare, government subsidized healthcare, etc...\nbut still has capitalistic aspects where individuals own business and land.  The people vote on their leaders, ie democracy.\n\nCommunism on the other hand, usually involves total central planning, and is frequently controlled by dictators or a small group of people.  They decide what companies produce what.  They decide everything that will be done in the country.  They usually put down internal dissent with violence.  Communist countries are like North Korea, China prior to 2000 (still semi communist), the USSR before it collapsed.
898277
the closest systems you will find are Sweden and I think Switzerland as these two countries hold a lot of referendums where people vote on major issues, which is the purest form of liberal democracy.