Austendo Chapter Three

Q: What is the real problem that educated people see in socialism.
A: While the average American hears socialism and thinks, "Fire, bad," those who study the concept of socialism know that the ideas that the system strives for are very similar to America's ideals. "It may mean, and is often used to describe, merely the ideals of social justice, greater equality, and security, which are the ultimate aims of socialism." (p. 37) The problem, then, is the means by which this state of equality and security is attained. "[...] socialism means the abolition of private enterprise, of private ownership of the means of production, and the creation of a system of 'planned economy' in which the entrepreneur working for profit is replaced by a central planning body." (p. 37) To have the security and equality that socialism promises, we must relinquish our individual freedoms and powers.