Socialism works in many places

RE: LETTERS, TO THE EDITOR, SOCIALISM HASN’T WORKED IN THE PAST: READER, AUG. 9

This letter echoed an embedded Canadian belief that socialism does not work. The writer is wrong, but to make his case he cited Venezuela stating how it was brought to its knees because of socialism.

Venezuela is a poor example as the economy of most capitalist or socialist countries, Canada included, would quickly crumble under the stranglehold of an all-out U.S. economic war with brutal trade and financial sanctions and cyberattacks.

There are many socialist success stories that could be cited, starting in South America with revolutionary changes brought about in Bolivia, Nicaragua and Honduras. The latter was advancing up until democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a coup. In each case, there was a significant reduction in poverty and strong economies. A common thread is the renunciation of neo-liberalism.

One might also look at the success of Nordic countries including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, largely brought about by socialist or social democratic governance. No one can ignore the success of China, which describes itself as “socialism with Chinese characteristics,” and the removal of more than 700 million people from poverty. Many people think of China as capitalistic but its economic success was built on socialist economics with a planned economy, government oversight and direction with a foundation of state corporations in a mixed economy.

The real question is not whether socialism is succeeding but, rather, is capitalism failing?

Ron Brydges

St. Catharines