Youth and College Students Embracing Socialism for the US!
Anthony Hernandez
Volunteer at Scobee Education Center and Educational Volunteer (NASA-STEM), Planetary Society-Member
Is Socialism the Way?
In recent years, many young people in America, especially students, have increasingly embraced socialism as a solution to the country’s current challenges. Disillusioned with capitalism, they view it as an unjust system, while seeing socialism as a better alternative for societal organization. However, many of these young supporters overlook the lessons of history—especially the failures of socialist regimes throughout the 20th century—and believe that socialism promises equality for all. They often fail to consider the economic and social repercussions of these systems, both historically and in the present day.
The Historical Lessons of Socialism
Supporters of socialism often fail to learn from the history of socialist leaders like Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro of Cuba, Xi Jinping of China, and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela. Under these regimes, citizens faced widespread suppression of individual rights, limited economic opportunities, and a loss of freedoms. While today’s activists in the United States benefit from the right to protest and voice their opinions—privileges afforded to them under capitalism—they often ignore that such freedoms are severely restricted in socialist systems.
In many socialist or communist nations, dissent is not tolerated. Protesters can face imprisonment, violent repression, or even death at the hands of the state. Under these regimes, the right to protest becomes an impossibility, as the government enforces total control over the populace. This leads us to an essential question: If individuals are calling for socialism, do they fully understand the consequences of such a system in practice?
The Nature of Socialism and Its Consequences
At its core, socialism proposes that the state should control the means of production, distribution, and pricing, abolishing private ownership of property and wealth. This might sound appealing to those who believe that wealth should be distributed more equally. However, the reality of socialism often contradicts its theoretical promises.
One of the fundamental problems with socialism is that the leadership class often retains disproportionate control over resources, while the majority of citizens are subjected to a lower standard of living. In socialist systems, the government controls everything, from production to individual consumption. In theory, this system is meant to reduce inequality, but in practice, it often leads to a different form of inequality, where the political elite have more access to wealth and power than the average citizen.
Socialism, then, does not merely challenge private ownership; it replaces individual autonomy with state control over nearly every aspect of life. As a result, personal freedom is severely restricted. The state owns everything, including personal property, leaving citizens with limited control over their lives and futures.
Defining Socialism and Communism
To better understand these systems, we must first define them.
While socialism advocates for a more equitable distribution of resources, communism takes this further by aiming to eliminate class distinctions altogether, though in reality, these systems have often resulted in authoritarian regimes where power is centralized, and economic and political freedoms are restricted.
The Realities of Socialism in Practice
In recent weeks, protests have erupted in the United States, with college students demonstrating against President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration and border security. These protests reflect a larger ideological divide, with many young people advocating for a more socialist system as a remedy for inequality and perceived injustice in society. However, it is worth asking: Do these protesters fully understand what socialism entails, particularly in countries where it has already been implemented?
Having traveled to several socialist and communist nations, I’ve seen firsthand the lack of political freedom and economic opportunities in such systems. In Eastern Europe, for example, former Soviet countries are still struggling to recover from the collapse of the USSR. Corruption, economic instability, and stagnant wages continue to affect these nations. People I spoke with often lamented the loss of personal freedoms under the Soviet regime but acknowledged that, at least in some ways, the country was more stable during that time.
One notable experience was visiting Cuba, where the government tightly controls nearly every aspect of life, from the media to daily routines. Citizens are not free to express dissent without fear of retribution. It is important to understand that while socialism may appear appealing on paper, its practical application often leads to totalitarianism.
A Closer Look at the Youth Support for Socialism
I recently encountered a young woman wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Socialism is the Way!” during a protest against President Trump’s immigration policies. I was curious: Has she ever visited any countries with socialist or communist governments, such as Venezuela, Cuba, or the former Soviet Union? The answer was no. Most of the protesters I spoke with had never traveled to socialist countries and were unaware of the realities of life under these regimes.
Many of these young activists seemed to think that socialism would create a more equal society, where everyone has access to resources at a lower cost. However, when I discussed the histories of oppressive regimes led by figures like Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin, and Fidel Castro, they were often surprised. They didn’t realize the extent of government control and suppression that comes with socialist and communist systems.
Global Perspectives: The Case of Argentina
In recent years, Argentina has struggled with the consequences of embracing socialism and communism for decades. Under President Javier Milei, who opposed socialism at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Argentina has taken steps to address economic instability. Milei, an economist by training, was able to reduce inflation from 25 percent to just 2.7 percent through fiscal reforms and anti-corruption measures. His stance against socialism, and his focus on cutting government waste, has been pivotal in restoring some degree of economic stability.
Milei’s experience offers a valuable lesson for young Americans calling for socialism: History has shown that these systems often lead to economic chaos and diminished freedoms, not the equality and fairness they envision.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale
While socialism may seem like an attractive alternative to capitalism, it is crucial to understand its real-world consequences. History has shown us that socialist and communist governments often result in economic instability, loss of individual freedoms, and political oppression. The youth who are advocating for socialism should critically examine the outcomes of such systems in practice.
If these young activists truly desire freedom, personal ownership, and the ability to protest without fear of government retribution, they should reconsider their support for socialism. The freedoms they currently enjoy under capitalism could be lost in a socialist system. Instead of embracing a system that limits individual rights, we should seek solutions that promote equality, opportunity, and freedom within a democratic framework.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/davos-2025-special-address-javier-milei-president-argentina/