Burdened By What Has Been: A Study of Socialism

The dream of socialism is not inherently bad, everyone is equal, work is not toil it is purpose and the fruits of labor are not distributed by class, but by need. A family of five needs more food than a childless couple. But a manager does not need a fancier home than the workers they manage.

That is where the dream ends, when it is in practice and human ego says “I am running this, without me it all collapses, so I’m more equal, I deserve more.”

Throughout history, one example is rarely seen, the very small commune, where 30 to 40 people live simply, garden and craft tools, they just live, and decisions are made by everyone in a large council. Yes, the Amish and Menonites are similar to this, but not fully a commune. Their Church leads, but everyone builds homes, everyone helps recover after storms, but they aren’t “truly equal” and they accept this.

History also shows up how governmental application of socialist ideas always fails, due to the ego of the humans “running the show.” Burdened By What Has Been looks at seven case studies, focusing on how each started, the philosophy and the implementation and running of those systems. And ultimately, how each one failed.

History is a burden, because put simply, history is not all sunshine and roses, it is dark and upsetting, but we must remember it, we must carry the burden. After all, those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.