Why is America So Scared of Socialism?

At least half of the American electorate has a negative view of socialism — even if they don’t entirely understand what it means.

This stands in stark contrast to almost every other developed country in the world. Many of our closest allies maintain large social welfare systems. Some of these systems are in operation right next door.

So why is America so scared of Socialism?

Well, we aren’t.

Just like other countries, Americans love socialism — when we’re not being prosecuted for it.

Although we might not trust each other enough to make it work today.

So let’s go to the past — which is also the future.

Welcome to the year 2000 AD. The future. The United States is a bonafide utopia, complete with personal credit cards, streaming music, online shopping, and socialism. Lots and lots of socialism.

This is the central conceit of Edward Bellamy’s 19th century novel, Looking Backward. Published in 1887, it became the third bestselling book of the time, and only the second American novel to sell a million copies. It also helped jumpstart socialist societies all across the US.

Even though the book describes a United States with a nationalized industrial economy and an exhaustive…