The Latest Bogeyman

In the polarizing political war that has been unfolding for the last few generations, it is often said that the United States is the greatest nation in the world. While I tend to agree with the sentiment there, I am put off by the manner in which our greatness is discussed. It is usually only a heartbeat away from claims that the nation is under attack from some –ism or another: Nazism, environmentalism, atheism, socialism.

The final one on that list has been a popular buzzword in the past year. I hear countless angry voices claiming, with terror befitting the apocalypse, that our country is on a rapid path to socialism. The bogeyman this –ism has become is what gives me pause. The going assumption is that, among competing economic philosophies, capitalism is more than merely what worked for the U.S., but that it is the most moral and right way for people to get along with each other. It is commonly held that capitalism is what allows our brand of democracy to function. That assertion may be largely true, but our national history seems to bear out that more often than not, capitalism has served as an impediment to our democracy. Because of the numerous governmental interventions that have resulted, I believe that our uniquely American democracy inevitably hybridizes capitalism and socialism.

Capitalism has historically created the potential for prosperity and fulfillment in this country. A new socialist bent can go further, though, to compliment that foundation with concrete social guarantees. These are more than just the financial entitlements bemoaned by those who fear “wealth redistribution.” They are an embodiment and enactment of the “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for which we all clamor. Our national obsession with rights, compounded with expectations for a continued high standard of living, has developed into a rational set of entitlements. The American experiment with democracy is an enduring success, and this is a success that is not incompatible with furthering social justice via ensuring that expectations meet reality. In light of the current economic downturn, especially, many of us have learned that prosperity is about means rather than ends. Embracing one more –ism into our mosaic of cultures, ideals, and pursuits is the most American thing we can do now. This I believe.