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Socialism Is Evil: The Moral Case Against Marx's Radical Dream
The greatest threat facing the United States today doesn’t come from China, Iran, or even Russia; it’s the growing number of Americans who believe Karl Marx’s socialism provides the best strategy for making our communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous. But the most significant danger posed by socialism isn’t that its implementation would lead to greater poverty and fewer property rights, it’s that socialism would create numerous moral problems, including the limits it would place on individual liberty and religious freedom.In Socialism Is The Moral Case Against Marx’s Radical Dream, conservative columnist and think tank research fellow Justin Haskins examines the moral perils of Marx’s socialism and explains why if socialism were to be imposed in its fullest form, it wouldn’t just damage people’s freedoms, it would obliterate them. Haskins argues it would be dangerous to attempt to create Marx’s utopian socialist world, and even more importantly, that such an attempt would be so highly immoral that it could reasonably be called “evil.”In Socialism Is Evil, Haskins makes the moral case against socialism and also describes in detail what socialists believe, the differences between socialism and communism, why Marx’s socialism will never be completely adopted, and why even the more moderate European-style socialism, called “democratic socialism” by some, is highly immoral and anti-American.Many socialists are kind, generous people with good intentions, but sometimes, good intentions can create devastating results. Socialism Is Evil briefly tackles some of the most important moral controversies surrounding Marx’s socialism, providing supporters of individual liberty with the tools they need to stop the rise of socialism in its tracks.
106 pages, Paperback
Published August 22, 2018
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193 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 3, 2020
This book is a really refreshing approach to evils of socialism. It doesn't dig into the past of socialism & what unfortunate things have happened due to it. It only takes the moral case forward & meticulously debates on the moral evils. It establishes what it says in the title of the book & I must say the title wasn't just a rhetoric. He managed to prove it considerably well.
October 23, 2018
This is a quick read, but an excellent exploration of the moral pitfalls and dangers of implementing Marx’s socialist ideology as he defined it. Socialism will always ultimately lead to placing restraints on individual and religious liberties.
March 3, 2019
Read it
This book is a well reasoned and interesting treatise on what's wrong with socialism. It is relatively short and well-written, and highly recommended.
This book is a well reasoned and interesting treatise on what's wrong with socialism. It is relatively short and well-written, and highly recommended.
November 18, 2020
This book lacks the context to back up the claims that it makes. It uses the Venezuelan example as socialism gone wrong, followed by admission that it isn't a socialist country (without saying it's a mixed economy), then goes back to lumping it in with authoritarian communist regimes. There is no analysis of the failures of Venezuela being due to crippling blows to their nationalized petroleum industry: heavy reliance on oil exports coupled with oil prices dropping, U.S. sanctions put on the country, and Citgo's assets being frozen. This is just within the first six pages.
The book constantly conflates communism with socialism without describing the major differences between the two, primarily on freedom of religion, ownership of private property, class stratification, and democratic processes. This false equivalence is just one of many logical fallacies that appear in this book, common along with anecdotal evidence, false dilemmas, and straw man arguments.
On the basis of the title that socialism is evil, there is only an appeal to religion as a foundation of morality, ignoring experience and socialization as a factor. The argument rests on socialism compelling people to be part of a system that they disagree with, from universal healthcare giving/denying access to abortion services, to collective ownership of slaughterhouses, avoiding the central tenet of socialism that more democratic say is more equitable than current systems. The author claims this is morally reprehensible but conveniently skips any socialist positions on morality, specifically that the hoarding of wealth is immoral when so many are suffering due to a lack of access to resources.
The author claims at one point that if all of the wealth were distributed equally throughout the world each person would have $37,000 to $57,000. There is no specification as to if this a one time payment or yearly income. This is just short of the U.S. median income of $63,000 and far more than what many lower class Americans make, let alone the what some people will make in their lifetime in some countries (the Gross National Income of some countries is less than $1,000). This decrying of wealth distribution shows that the author does not care about the poor as much as his own potential for wealth accumulation, a morally reprehensible position- to use his own words.
At several points there is an argument that people will not want to take on undesirable jobs for the same pay as everyone else. This dismisses the analysis of why people currently take generally perceived unsavory positions. It also lacks understanding of why people will voluntarily choose such vocations out of pure interest in a field, an acknowledgement of the importance of such work, and pride/sense of duty in this work. The author makes a case of classism out of himself, showing that certain work is undervalued but necessary so long as someone else does it, and ignoring that currently such jobs are not well-paying (slaughter houses, fast food, etc.).
Then there is his "free rider" problem of lazy workers being paid as much as hard workers under a communist system, or is it socialist? Under socialist systems one is paid for the work they put in, so this argument is a fallacy built on another fallacy if he's writing about communism, which is not in the title of the book.
There are many more flaws in this book than what I have listed. As a leftist, I am looking for a good argument to challenge my beliefs, there was nothing in here that was new to casual analysis and questioning of my own beliefs. The author makes some valid points about the challenges of participation, coercion, and implementation of the systems covered but these questions are better raised and answered by actual communist, socialist, and anarchist theorists who have an interest in solving these problems instead of being naysayers. The standard of a "problem with..." book is to have a conclusion with solutions but this book doesn't even offer this. It's a scree full of tired arguments that have been repeated ad nauseam. The source material for the research on it is lacking in order to be regarded as a serious analysis of socialist thought and practice. Were the author to read anything more dense than "The Communist Manifesto" he may have gotten somewhere, but alas he has fallen short of scholarly standards in this bootleg edition of Cliff's Notes Red Scare Talking Points.
The book constantly conflates communism with socialism without describing the major differences between the two, primarily on freedom of religion, ownership of private property, class stratification, and democratic processes. This false equivalence is just one of many logical fallacies that appear in this book, common along with anecdotal evidence, false dilemmas, and straw man arguments.
On the basis of the title that socialism is evil, there is only an appeal to religion as a foundation of morality, ignoring experience and socialization as a factor. The argument rests on socialism compelling people to be part of a system that they disagree with, from universal healthcare giving/denying access to abortion services, to collective ownership of slaughterhouses, avoiding the central tenet of socialism that more democratic say is more equitable than current systems. The author claims this is morally reprehensible but conveniently skips any socialist positions on morality, specifically that the hoarding of wealth is immoral when so many are suffering due to a lack of access to resources.
The author claims at one point that if all of the wealth were distributed equally throughout the world each person would have $37,000 to $57,000. There is no specification as to if this a one time payment or yearly income. This is just short of the U.S. median income of $63,000 and far more than what many lower class Americans make, let alone the what some people will make in their lifetime in some countries (the Gross National Income of some countries is less than $1,000). This decrying of wealth distribution shows that the author does not care about the poor as much as his own potential for wealth accumulation, a morally reprehensible position- to use his own words.
At several points there is an argument that people will not want to take on undesirable jobs for the same pay as everyone else. This dismisses the analysis of why people currently take generally perceived unsavory positions. It also lacks understanding of why people will voluntarily choose such vocations out of pure interest in a field, an acknowledgement of the importance of such work, and pride/sense of duty in this work. The author makes a case of classism out of himself, showing that certain work is undervalued but necessary so long as someone else does it, and ignoring that currently such jobs are not well-paying (slaughter houses, fast food, etc.).
Then there is his "free rider" problem of lazy workers being paid as much as hard workers under a communist system, or is it socialist? Under socialist systems one is paid for the work they put in, so this argument is a fallacy built on another fallacy if he's writing about communism, which is not in the title of the book.
There are many more flaws in this book than what I have listed. As a leftist, I am looking for a good argument to challenge my beliefs, there was nothing in here that was new to casual analysis and questioning of my own beliefs. The author makes some valid points about the challenges of participation, coercion, and implementation of the systems covered but these questions are better raised and answered by actual communist, socialist, and anarchist theorists who have an interest in solving these problems instead of being naysayers. The standard of a "problem with..." book is to have a conclusion with solutions but this book doesn't even offer this. It's a scree full of tired arguments that have been repeated ad nauseam. The source material for the research on it is lacking in order to be regarded as a serious analysis of socialist thought and practice. Were the author to read anything more dense than "The Communist Manifesto" he may have gotten somewhere, but alas he has fallen short of scholarly standards in this bootleg edition of Cliff's Notes Red Scare Talking Points.
November 10, 2018
The Left should attempt to read this work
The Left is very slowly and methodically pushing this agenda to the fullest in my country. Every incoming college student should take time to read this work; because it won't be on any formal required reading list. This is the Left's agenda; make no mistake about it. The agenda might initially sound attractive. This is the danger. It is an agenda from those who believe they know what's best for us all. And in this arrogant approach takes away our individual liberty to believe and act as we, speaking only for myself, see fit by our own unique world view. In my case, my eternal view.
The Left is very slowly and methodically pushing this agenda to the fullest in my country. Every incoming college student should take time to read this work; because it won't be on any formal required reading list. This is the Left's agenda; make no mistake about it. The agenda might initially sound attractive. This is the danger. It is an agenda from those who believe they know what's best for us all. And in this arrogant approach takes away our individual liberty to believe and act as we, speaking only for myself, see fit by our own unique world view. In my case, my eternal view.
October 10, 2019
the main issue with this book is that it uses the argument against communism to fight socialism. While socialism part of the communism they are not one and the same. The arguments have no real proof other than communist countries that failed. He is using strong words that hopefully appeal to the reader's feelings, he creates fear that someone will take what is theirs, but at the end of the book I got no real arguments why socialism is bad other than "socialism is bad because communism is bad". Waste of time
January 27, 2019
Strong title and a US perspective. I think that the reasoning in this book is a little on the short side. He is right, but there are certainly better arguments and examples. It is also good that he targets social democracy, not only out right communism.
Still good that someone makes the popular simplistic argument, because ultimately he is right - socialism is not even a good idea it is immoral
Still good that someone makes the popular simplistic argument, because ultimately he is right - socialism is not even a good idea it is immoral
December 27, 2018
A very clear book about the evil of Marx's ideas, even taking into consideration that majoraties political decisions are the basis for legalising their decisions. It is a very clever way from Socialists to update Marxism in a Democratic Society and Societies.The creation of a Moral based on the the espirit of collectivity, nothing else than a dictatorship of a majority over a minoraty. All this based within a short time view, making life more dificult for the future generations. This new Marxism is becoming so populist, or more, than some other social polical trends, in our time.
I reccomend this book to anyone that prefers liberty than anything else in exchange, to loose it.
To recomend to Socialists even those well intended, would be a lost of time.
I reccomend this book to anyone that prefers liberty than anything else in exchange, to loose it.
To recomend to Socialists even those well intended, would be a lost of time.
February 21, 2019
Justin Haskin's book "Socialism Is Evil", is a concise very well written book. As the author explains Socialism will end individual freedoms as we know it. The author is right that many people or groups will be forced to go against their moral principals. In addition, Socialism goes against Human Nature. Most people need incentives to better themselves.
There are things about Socialism that I find disturbing! For Instance, the Socialists play the Class Warfare game. The rich are bad in the Socialist view. Somehow, in the Socialist agenda, The rich don't deserve their wealth. Jealousy is a divisive game that the Socialists play. In a free economy, people have individual freedoms. They can choose their own doctors and are not afraid to practice their religion. I have personally known many individuals from modest backgrounds who have lived the American Dream.
I highly recommend reading this book.
There are things about Socialism that I find disturbing! For Instance, the Socialists play the Class Warfare game. The rich are bad in the Socialist view. Somehow, in the Socialist agenda, The rich don't deserve their wealth. Jealousy is a divisive game that the Socialists play. In a free economy, people have individual freedoms. They can choose their own doctors and are not afraid to practice their religion. I have personally known many individuals from modest backgrounds who have lived the American Dream.
I highly recommend reading this book.
February 24, 2019
An outstanding, easily understood, description of socialism/communism.
As a writer and publisher, I especially appreciate this description of socialism/communism because it’s thoughts are presented clearly, are easily absorbed, and just as effectively understood. It mirrors my own long standing historical research and conclusions about the severe, disastrous, evils of socialism/communism.
Forty four years in our business management, marketing, and advertising arena have given me deep, abiding faith that America’s foundational freedoms provide the most effective way to individual prosperity, achievement, security, and contentment ever devised in this world.
This is yet another must read for those fellow Americans who know how vital it now is to counter the press toward this evil, murderous, system of government by socialist/communist politicians in present day America.
As a writer and publisher, I especially appreciate this description of socialism/communism because it’s thoughts are presented clearly, are easily absorbed, and just as effectively understood. It mirrors my own long standing historical research and conclusions about the severe, disastrous, evils of socialism/communism.
Forty four years in our business management, marketing, and advertising arena have given me deep, abiding faith that America’s foundational freedoms provide the most effective way to individual prosperity, achievement, security, and contentment ever devised in this world.
This is yet another must read for those fellow Americans who know how vital it now is to counter the press toward this evil, murderous, system of government by socialist/communist politicians in present day America.
June 3, 2025
A wonderful (short, concise, easy to read, sane) book on why Socialism is F'ed up and why an ideal socialist society can never exist. It basically comes down to two primary issues -- competition is innate to all living things nature (we compete even just for fun) And collectivism requires decisions which will violate the morality of the individual. These two issues are based on an understanding of the human condition. The author doesn't mention my favorite objection which is, aside from the unread illiterate lazy and stupid, the primary advocate for socialism is society are those who want to be our autocratic dictators. No thank you.
Yes, please, everyone, read this book.
Yes, please, everyone, read this book.
February 26, 2020
A good primer on the ills of Socialism
Instead of focusing primarily on the “economics” of socialism, this books presents a good foundation to the moral pitfalls of socialism and why it ultimately requires violating basic human rights in order to function(which is no guarantee). I like this approach because it’s rarely mentioned but worth discussing more so than the economics in my opinion. I would recommend this to anyone researching this topic but not as a stand alone go to source.
Instead of focusing primarily on the “economics” of socialism, this books presents a good foundation to the moral pitfalls of socialism and why it ultimately requires violating basic human rights in order to function(which is no guarantee). I like this approach because it’s rarely mentioned but worth discussing more so than the economics in my opinion. I would recommend this to anyone researching this topic but not as a stand alone go to source.
July 24, 2021
Some good points are given about how infeasible Marxist socialism is, and how easy the outcome does not become what the people want. But his critique on western Europe democratic socialism, is really biased. Just because some people are against abortion, the government should not take care of health care, since that would go against their moral values? How about the tax money that goes to fighting wars that some people in the country are against? The same thing could be said about that.
December 16, 2021
The problem with this book is the author is creating a bogeyman that doesn't exist in America. American's aren't thinking "socialism" as a political/economic system. Americans simply want what every other country in the world already has: national health care and other fundamental economic protections for all members of the wealthiest society in history (but where the top 1000 citizens hoard 50% of the total).
February 3, 2019
Fast read...Well researched!
Take the very few minutes to read this and consider the reasoning behind the title. Many of us are confronted daily with the ever romantic notion of a Democratic Socialist rhetoric; the constant praise and promotion of the main stream media, that it's nice to be able to point to and recommend a book to give argument to this dogma.
Take the very few minutes to read this and consider the reasoning behind the title. Many of us are confronted daily with the ever romantic notion of a Democratic Socialist rhetoric; the constant praise and promotion of the main stream media, that it's nice to be able to point to and recommend a book to give argument to this dogma.
February 10, 2019
Should be required reading in secondary schools and above!
Every fact given can be easily verified through existing news and literary archives. I was born in 1934 and lived through all of the history referenced in this book and vividly remember all the facts and events given in this well thought-out book. People, you had better believe this.
Every fact given can be easily verified through existing news and literary archives. I was born in 1934 and lived through all of the history referenced in this book and vividly remember all the facts and events given in this well thought-out book. People, you had better believe this.
April 2, 2019
Excellent manuscript thwarting socialism and the progressives.
Well-researched, scholarly yet readable. Haskins gives both sides of a number of contemporary social issues and concerns. A great apologetic. A quick read that should have you thinking about it long after you have laid it down. Excellent thought-provokes.
Well-researched, scholarly yet readable. Haskins gives both sides of a number of contemporary social issues and concerns. A great apologetic. A quick read that should have you thinking about it long after you have laid it down. Excellent thought-provokes.
May 6, 2019
Good attempt at an accessible approach to teaching the futility of socialism -to paraphrase Ayn Rand, "But I didn't mean this!" Nice that the book quotes from socialist primary sources and illustrates socialism's necessity of the individual having to do things that run counter to his or her own beliefs.
September 22, 2019
History,Reason and Logic
The author presents both perspectives and employs human social history, intellectual logic, and the principles of the American Constitution to dispute the validity of socialism as an adoptable form of government in the U.S. I would recommend every left-leaning citizen and member of Congress read this book.
The author presents both perspectives and employs human social history, intellectual logic, and the principles of the American Constitution to dispute the validity of socialism as an adoptable form of government in the U.S. I would recommend every left-leaning citizen and member of Congress read this book.
May 2, 2019
Quick,informative read
This book succinctly gives intelligent,rational arguments against socialism. Really great for someone who wants to combat the pro socialist agenda permeating our schools,media and govt lately
This book succinctly gives intelligent,rational arguments against socialism. Really great for someone who wants to combat the pro socialist agenda permeating our schools,media and govt lately
April 22, 2019
An interesting perspective; socialism leads to total collapse of individual freedoms. There is no free lunch! Stalin and Hitler both began as socialist reformers.
Where did that lead to? Total disaster. A very good read with a realistic slant on the perils of Socialism .
Where did that lead to? Total disaster. A very good read with a realistic slant on the perils of Socialism .
January 22, 2020
A Worthwhile Read
A sharp, clear and easy to read rebuttal explaining how Socialism violates basic human nature and requires great acts of evil to begin and continue. A very solid read.
A sharp, clear and easy to read rebuttal explaining how Socialism violates basic human nature and requires great acts of evil to begin and continue. A very solid read.
February 19, 2020
Truth
The facts are overwhelming. Try this test! takeaway every single development in medicine for profit and you would be left with nothing. No medical books, schools, drugs, equipment, doctors, nurses, etc...
The facts are overwhelming. Try this test! takeaway every single development in medicine for profit and you would be left with nothing. No medical books, schools, drugs, equipment, doctors, nurses, etc...
May 17, 2020
Easy read of non-fiction material well presented by the author. But of course no professed Democratic Socialist would be interested in reading this and learning their utopian theories can never work. So full steam ahead to those vote grabbing pols that only pretend to care about anything else.
January 7, 2022
No explica nada nuevo, ni nada que cualquier persona con dos dedos de frente y que ha estudiado sin adoctrinamiento no sepa, pero lo explica de forma sencilla y directa, sin dar rodeos, además de exponer ejemplos claros y actuales.
February 5, 2022
The author's case is a MORAL argument against totalitarian governance, I'm afraid that ship has sailed. I agree with all he states but the American experiment in governance CANNOT exist unless we all agree on the concept of shared morality.
December 26, 2018
A better approach to understanding all Collectivist Force
Haskins makes great sense with his Morality points. Perhaps too much on Marc and too little on morality, but well done.
Haskins makes great sense with his Morality points. Perhaps too much on Marc and too little on morality, but well done.
April 8, 2019
Good book
April 16, 2019
Short and to the point.
July 2, 2019
I strongly opposite socialism, but this book is badly written and poorly argued.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews