I'd say it's easier to achieve socialism in Europe than in the U.S., yes, if only because (it seems) most Europeans don't immediately scream "communism!" the second someone proposes a public solution to a social problem. The background level of resistance to addressing collective problems collectively appears to be much lower. There are a ton of state-owned companies in Norway -- wouldn't it be easier to talk about nationalizing other companies in a country like that vs. a country where you're called a commie before you can even finish your sentence?
And I'm suggesting going beyond what Europe has. I don't think most (any?) European countries have housing or job guarantees, for instance. If the U.S. not only had those, but implemented those policies in a modern political movement, that would open up all sorts of potential to go further. You'd have a political coalition that's already produced big results, results which to a degree would speak for themselves.
Disagree. We are further away from revolution than the US and electoral socialism is an impossibility. Greece and Italy are the closest mainland European countries to making something happen and they are the closest because they have had economic disasters that have created the material conditions for a rising and powerful left. They will not get closer unless the conditions tighten further though. Ireland is closest but has moved further away from the opportunity to achieve socialism since conditions improved in the 90s.
I'd say it's easier to achieve socialism in Europe than in the U.S., yes, if only because (it seems) most Europeans don't immediately scream "communism!" the second someone proposes a public solution to a social problem. The background level of resistance to addressing collective problems collectively appears to be much lower. There are a ton of state-owned companies in Norway -- wouldn't it be easier to talk about nationalizing other companies in a country like that vs. a country where you're called a commie before you can even finish your sentence?
And I'm suggesting going beyond what Europe has. I don't think most (any?) European countries have housing or job guarantees, for instance. If the U.S. not only had those, but implemented those policies in a modern political movement, that would open up all sorts of potential to go further. You'd have a political coalition that's already produced big results, results which to a degree would speak for themselves.
Disagree. We are further away from revolution than the US and electoral socialism is an impossibility. Greece and Italy are the closest mainland European countries to making something happen and they are the closest because they have had economic disasters that have created the material conditions for a rising and powerful left. They will not get closer unless the conditions tighten further though. Ireland is closest but has moved further away from the opportunity to achieve socialism since conditions improved in the 90s.