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What’s the central characteristic of socialism? That’s easy—it’s failure.
From North Korea to the American public education system, from Venezuelan oil companies to ObamaCare, the reports of socialism’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Although the Soviet Union collapsed in ignominy, the central planning impulse that guided it endures in countless industries and government policies throughout the world. As Kevin Williamson explains in this myth–busting book, socialism never works because it can’t work. It assumes the authorities have all–knowing planning abilities that human beings don’t possess—and can’t possess. This central flaw has resulted in crushing poverty, devastating famine, and even mass murder. And yet the socialist “dream” is spreading—including here in America.
As a fan of the P.I.G. series, I jumped on this one right away when I saw it and have to say it is quite disappointing. This is a book on economics. Nothing more. Political philosophy is touched on briefly, but mostly ignored. As a book on economics, it is very much based in the Austrian school of economic theory. In fact the majority of the book can be summed up as, "Socialism is bound to fail, and Mises tells us why right here." There's also a LOT of Hayeck, with a little Milton Friredman for monetary theory. Almost anyone quoted who is not one of the above is from the von Mises Insitute. What was most disappointing was the lack of most of what sets the P.I.G. series apart. The normal irreverence was forgotten until the epilogue. The revelation of "new" ideas was minimal, with most examples being obvious ones, and the "politically incorrect" interpretations weak and dry.Furthermore, the author seems to have written the entire thing wth Roget's close at hand not, as one would expect, to vary word usage to prevent boredom, but to replace words with obscure synonyms to increase the apparent intelligence of the work. I run a big box bookstore and consider myself to have an above average vocabulary, but the author gave my Nook Color's lookup function a workout, and the text would have read smoother with more mainstream words. Overall, the weakest, most boring P.I.G. book I've read. Unless you're an economics nerd, avoid this for other titles in the series. If you are an econ nerd, just read von Mises and Hayeck instead. Final note, this was a joy to play with my Nook Color's touchscreen. See a footnote, tap the hyperlink to go to the note, tap the link to read the cited website, then tap the footnote to go right back to the text. Makes checking references a breeze. Move those scholarly works up on your wish list if you can get them as NookBooks!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 12, 2011
The author of this book uses a great deal of research, analysis and easy to understand examples of socialism's failed history, and its impossibility of ever working. He not only makes you understand how much other countries have tried and failed to implement socialism, but that it simply cannot be done because people want to choose how they live their lives, which socialism does not allow. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a better grasp on what the history and ideals of socialism are so they can increase their intellectual ammo in fighting this political plague.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 11, 2012
Socialism's prominent trait...failure?! Maybe the dumbest claim a Conservative American could make. I guess we shouldn't look at the successful European nations who have been using this system for years to outshine the US in category after category. Put away the American flags and Bibles gentlemen. Come back to reality...
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Well written whether you're a socialist, capitalist or other.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 10, 2011
Worthy forwarning of what empending Socialism brings.
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Overview
What’s the central characteristic of socialism? That’s easy—it’s failure.
From North Korea to the American public education system, from Venezuelan oil companies to ObamaCare, the reports of socialism’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Although the Soviet Union collapsed in ignominy, the central planning impulse that guided it endures in countless industries and government policies throughout the world. As Kevin Williamson explains in this myth–busting book, socialism never...