Quote:
Originally Posted by Xenophon
I see what you mean. And if you equate the word "socialist" or "socialism" with the dictionary definition, many Americans will sound like they are "seeing Socialism wherever they want." Maybe even most. But note that common usage in America does not match the dictionary definition any more.
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I haven't realised before now that the American definition of socialism is so different from the text book definition and is used as a casual short hand in common usage. Usually when I have seen it used this way by Americans, such as stating that countries in Europe are 'socialist states' I have thought:
It's like 'liberal'. The American definition is also quite different from the European - but not many people here are aware of it - and I only learned about it last year. Likewise with the use of 'socialism'.