The simple fact is, American's in particular, associate Socialism with Communism. Socialism is such a diverse political theory that it can encompass people as diverse as Josef Stalin and Tony Blair. Socialism in Western Europe ceased being Marxist in the 1950's and became Keynesian in economic ideology and practive, making it compatible with capitalism. Pure capitalism, like pure socialism can be opressive, and Europe has for the main part reached a balance, with a welfare state and conservative economic policy.
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