Socialism is a scare-word

[Ghost Dog]

34. The problem is, when Americans hear "Socialism" they think "Soviets",

a generally unhappy and ultimately failed experiment in history. Socialism properly involves employing the managerial powers of the state to design and execute policies leading to the maximum possible health and happiness of the greatest possible number of people in a society (not favoring the few; but remember, corruption can be anywhere and everywhere, and has to be policed). Democratic Socialism involves the people, to a degree only even with very direct democracy, in the process.

Serious criticism of socialism usually focuses on the idea that such managerial ability tends to be overrated and prone to screw up. But is this still true today, with all the modern analysis and planning tools now at our disposal? Don't societies need to do some proper planning and some effective execution if the many systemic challenges such as the need for nfrastructure modernization, education and health system improvements, less militarism, halting our poisoning of ourselves and the environment and coping with the consequences of the climate change mess are to be competently confronted?