On Socialism

What with several of the candidates for the US Presidency claiming to actually BE Socialists, we thought it would be good to discuss the characteristics of Socialism in all its manifestations. Hodges and Vowell address the misguided assumption that all human problems can be solved by way of the federal government. Once accepted as true, this assumption makes the claims of Socialism far more compelling, as the essence of Socialism is the promise of Utopia here and now. Who can argue against free education, free health care, and a guaranteed basic income for all? To be against these things is to appear self-centered and expose one to all sorts of insulting labels (racist, sexist, homophobe, bigot, et c.). But aren't there two things to consider here? Diagnosis AND Treatment? Can't one agree to a diagnosis without endorsing the latest proposed Socialist solutions?

Hodges recommends Hayek's writings on economics, and Vowell recommends Roger Scruton's writings, in particular, On Beauty (renamed Oxford Very Short Introduction to Beauty.)