Synopses & Reviews
Praise for
The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to Socialism
This really should be required reading for those who think that socialism is a relic of a half forgotten past. Contrary to popular belief, the socialist impulse is alive and well. Its been said that socialism would only work in Heaven—where its not needed—and in Hell—where theyve already got it. With the cool detachment of an exorcist, Kevin Williamson methodically demolishes the allegedly angelic good intentions behind socialism to reveal the demonic consequences of its implementation.”
—Jonah Goldberg, editor at large of National Review Online and author of Liberal Fascism
Socialism isnt dead—its just in disguise. From Lenin and Hugo Chavez to state–run industries and U. S. healthcare, Kevin Williamson puts his finger on what makes government planners dreams of running our lives not only ineffective, but dangerous: they dont know half as much as they think they do. Exploring the socialists philosophy in their own words, Williamson shows why the problem with socialism isnt just that it hurts the economy, but that it undermines all the institutions that allow a free society to function—and that is why it cant co–exist with liberty.”
—Mark Levin, nationally syndicated talk radio host and author of Liberty and Tyranny
In The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to Socialism, Kevin Williamson cuts through the confusion about socialism, providing long overdue clarity and precision. In the process he exposes the insidious nature of the ideology, including its various American forms, and he drives a stake through the heart of todays apologetics for this menace. The book is scholarly, informative, and absolutely fascinating.”
—David Limbaugh, author of Crimes Against Liberty
Kevin Williamson takes a look at socialism in all its forms, and he uncovers some facts that might make even would–be socialists wince: socialism isnt just bad for business, but bad for the poor, bad for the environment, and bad for your health. If you want to understand the deeper ideological forces at work in our politics today, The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to Socialism is a good place to start.”
—Larry Kudlow, host of CNBCs the Kudlow Report
Synopsis
Stalins gulag, impoverished North Korea, collapsing Cuba...its hard to name a dogma that has failed as spectacularly as socialism. And yet leaders around the world continue to subject millions of people to this dysfunctional, violence-prone ideology.
In The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to Socialism, Kevin Williamson reveals the fatal flaw of socialismthat efficient, complex economies simply cant be centrally planned. But even in America, that hasnt stopped politicians and bureaucrats from planning, to various extents, the most vital sectors of our economy: public education, energy, and the most arrogant centralplanning effort of them all, Obamas healthcare plan.
In this provocative book, Williamson unfolds the grim history of socialism, showing how the ideology has spawned crushing poverty, devastating famines, and horrific wars. Lumbering from one crisis to the next, leaving a trail of economic devastation and environmental catastrophe, socialism has wreaked more havoc, caused more deaths, and impoverished more people than any other ideology in historyespecially when you include the victims of fascism, which Williamson notes is simply a variant of socialism.
Williamson further demonstrates:
Why, contrary to popular belief, socialism in theory is no better than socialism in practice
Why socialism cant exist without capitalism
How the energy powerhouse of Venezuela, under socialism, has become an economic basket case subject to rationing and blackouts
How socialism, not British colonialism, plunged the bountiful economy of India into stagnation and dysfunctionand how capitalism is rescuing it
Why socialism is inextricably linked to communism
If you thought socialism went into the dustbin of history with the collapse of the Soviet Union, think again. Socialism is alive and kicking, and its already spread further than you know.
Synopsis
Whats the central characteristic of socialism? Thats easy—its failure.
From North Korea to the American public education system, from Venezuelan oil companies to ObamaCare, the reports of socialisms 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 cant work. It assumes the authorities have all–knowing planning abilities that human beings dont possess—and cant 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.
About the Author
Kevin D. Williamson is deputy managing editor of National Review, a columnist for The New Criterion, and an adjunct professor at The Kings College, New York City. His work has appeared in the New York Post, Commentary, Our Sunday Visitor, The Indian Express, and other publications. A frequent commentator on politics and economics, he has appeared on the Glenn Beck Show, the Kudlow Report, NPR, the CBS Evening News, BBC, Power and Politics, and dozens of talk-radio programs. A native of West Texas, he currently lives in the South Bronx.