One of the most alluring elements of socialism, which is probably why it continues to plague humanity despite its track record of abject failure, is that it appeals to some of humanity’s worst instincts.

Socialism preys upon the dark side of humanity. It eschews personal responsibility, shuns virtue, and undermines industriousness. Instead, it rewards idleness, emphasizes envy, and perpetuates material lust.

Under socialism, nearly everything is a zero-sum game, and those who practice ruthlessly naked self-interest reign supreme.

Personal liberty and free-market capitalism, on the other hand, rely upon cooperation, incentivize mutually beneficial (voluntary) transactions, and honor hard work.

Freedom and capitalism also create an environment that rewards those who engage in what some call “enlightened self-interest.”

I premise this article with these thoughts because it is important to remember that although socialism might sound good on the surface, it is an evil ideology.

This week, Rasmussen Reports and The Heartland Institute released a poll that found a stunning 55 percent of likely young voters support radical wealth redistribution schemes that would make Joseph Stalin smile.

Specifically, the poll, which included 1,201 likely voters aged 18 to 39, found that 25 percent of young Americans “strongly support” and 30 percent “somewhat support” “a law that would confiscate Americans’ excess wealth – including things like second homes, luxury cars, and private boats – in order to help young people buy a home for the first time.”

Let that sink in for a second.

As someone who is slightly above this age cohort and does not own a home, I am flabbergasted that a strong majority of my fellow Americans would ever support such an anti-American law.

Never mind the fact that confiscating excess wealth is totally subjective and patently unconstitutional. It also violates one of the principles that made America exceptional in the first place: private property rights.

Never forget, in socialist countries, private property rights do not exist. Everything is on the table for the government to take and redistribute.

This is an immoral social order. It is uncivilized. It allows those in positions of power to dictate how much is enough and how much is too much. It also breeds dependence, covetousness, and sloth.

The aforementioned poll also found that more than six in 10 young likely voters think the American economy is “unfair to young people.”

While I do understand their anger and frustration with the state of the current economy, I am also profoundly sad and disappointed that their solution is socialism.

Rather than rage about how unfair the economy is while calling for Soviet-style wealth confiscation and redistribution, it would behoove these people to demand a return to Adam Smith’s economic philosophy.

We must acknowledge that a huge chunk of those polled have grown-up in an economy that has been burdened with decades of overregulation and policies that have fed crony capitalism.

I strongly believe that at least a large portion of those polled simply do not understand that a robust free-market economy is the best avenue for ample opportunity. It is also, by far, the greatest wealth generation device in human history.

Socialism, by contrast, does not incubate opportunity nor prosperity. As history has demonstrated numerous times, socialism fosters poverty, contempt, and corruption.

Like many trends and fads, socialism is the “it” thing right now. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the New York City mayoral race, where a self-avowed democratic socialist is the clear frontrunner.

However, trends and fads are fickle. They come and go.

Fear not, over the long term, socialism is doomed to fail because it does not align with the virtues and morals humans cherish above all else: fairness and freedom.

Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.

Editor’s Note: Zohran Mamdani is an avowed Democratic Socialist and has a real chance to become the next mayor of New York City.

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