by Alan Langstaff

In recent times, there has been a growing amount of interest in socialism. The midterm 2026 elections have been described as “Capitalism versus Democratic Socialism.” It has particularly come to the forefront with the election of a Socialist Mayor in New York who wants to bring socialism into that city. An example would be to establish government-owned food stores. A growing percentage of young people today are drawn to socialism, especially at a time when the cost of owning a house is high or impossible.

In this Langstaff Letter, we want to try to help people understand where socialism came from and what it is all about.

SOCIALISM DEFINED

Socialism is a movement (both economic and political) that advocates collective or government ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods. So it is an economic ideology and political philosophy.

The history of socialism began in the time of the Age of Enlightenment and the French Revolution. The book “The Communist Manifesto” as written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels which they termed “scientific socialism.” Marx argued that capitalism systematically exploits workers.

In the early 20th century, particular models have developed in countries such as Russia and the People’s Republic of China. A study of the growth of socialism involves many other countries, including France and within Israel. As far as the Western world is concerned, it has developed an idea of Democratic socialism. One must remember that this all takes many forms from across the world.

It appears that the recession of 2009 and the time of COVID resulted in more interest in government-funded social programs.

CAPITALISM DEFINED

Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership (may include businesses, etc.), voluntary exchanges, and profit-driven exchanges and profit-driven activities.

Prices and production are set mainly through voluntary exchange in a competitive market rather than by a central plan.

Ideally, private property, self-interest competition, and minimal government interaction are its core organizing principles. (See more at Wikipedia)

Bear in mind that all communities have some involvement in both socialism and capitalism. The far left argues for more socialism and the far right for less socialism and more capitalism. So a community has some form of paying for community services (ie., roads, bridges, etc.) usually by paying taxes.

CONTRAST SOCIALISM & CAPITALISM

A socialist system has the means and distribution of production, etc in the hands of the government. The government directs it all (i.e., socialized production).

The easiest way to picture Socialism is an economic and political collective ownership including the means of production.

By contrast, in a capitalist society, businesses own control of production and, in turn, employ people to work in that production.

So, an oversimplification of all this declares that in socialist countries the government owns and controls more and more things and, in turn, it aims to produce a more equitable society. Capitalism, on the other hand, is not directly controlled by the government, and the opportunity is always present to create a new business, etc.

REASONS FOR OPPOSING SOCIALISM

In an article in the Christian Post, Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D., points out some of his own reasons to oppose socialism, including:

1) Socialism replaces God with Government

“The first and most fundamental reason Christians must be wary of socialism is theological. Socialism does not merely reorganize economics. It reorders ultimate allegiance. When the state becomes provider, protector, and arbiter of all things, it assumes a role that belongs to God alone.

Psalm 2:10-12 commands rulers to “serve the Lord with fear” and to “take refuge in Him.” Socialism inverts this entirely, instructing people to find their refuge in the state. This is not a policy disagreement. It is, at its core, a form of idolatry.”

2) He also gives a personal experience of living in a socialist society.

“In Nasser’s Egypt, Christians were punished for speaking openly about their faith. Informants were everywhere—in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. As a Christian, I was mocked and sometimes beaten simply for what I believed. Socialism does not tolerate competing moral authorities. And the Church, by its very nature, is a competing moral authority.”

3) Socialism in other countries

Opponents of Socialism argue that it is hard to find a socialist nation that has succeeded. Look, for example, to Cuba, Venezuela – although, as previously mentioned, many countries incorporate a mixture of both.

WHY ARE PEOPLE ATTRACTED TO SOCIALISM

There are many reasons; consider some of them:

1) Ignorance. Many people, especially young people, are not up to date regarding Socialism. Hence, it sounds on the surface like an attractive program.

2) Institutionalised Envy. Eric Wallace, in an article, declares socialism isn’t compassion – it’s institutionalised envy. “Socialism looks upon the world and sees only unequal outcomes. It sees one man with five and another with two and calls the difference an injustice to be corrected. What it refuses to see is the unequal input behind the outcome: the labor, the risk, the discipline, the years spent honing a skill that others declined to hone. It counts the harvest and ignores the sowing.” (from Christian Post)

Human people can be envious, and a person can be resentful of another man’s goods, etc and envy can be correct by some form of justice in their thinking.

SOCIALISM & THE BIBLE

Socialism did not exist (as it is present today) in Bible days. It was basically a capitalist form of government. In the midst of that, there was opportunity to help others. A group like the early church would give resources to help people in need.

IT ELIMINATES THE PLACE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Government becomes the one responsible, and the place of responsibility (and opportunism) is put in the hands of the Government. Hence the feeling that people can seek the Government for more.

WHAT CAN SOCIALISM TEACH US?

In its present form, true socialism is concerned about people in regard to:

  • place to live
  • medical care
  • daily food and supplies

These are all issues that should face any people, any nation, etc.

These are certainly issues that Christians should be concerned about. At the moment, there is a blend of government programs and charitable organizations doing just that.

CONCLUSION

I need to be honest and say the primary reason I don’t subscribe to Socialism is because it eliminates opportunity by eliminating responsibility, and it eliminates God in their thinking. That is my main opposition to socialism today.

The fact is, no one knows for sure what will happen with regard to socialism. Will it become a dominant force in American politics? Who knows?