Socialism and Regimenarchies

 By Glen Wallace


Sure, socialism as it has been practiced may not be the answer but there are many different forms of political systems that can be referred to as socialist.  And I am not about to abandon a plan that looks and sounds good just because it might be labeled socialist.  As a matter of fact many of the socialist systems of the past might better be labeled oligarchies due to the special privileges granted to the government officials running those systems.  Although 'oligarchy' might not be appropriate since so many government officials tend to benefit from their positions in those so-called socialist regimes -- perhaps we need a new term here.  Well, the Latin word for government is 'regimen' so I'll call the political form where the government and some of its enforcement and intelligence employees becomes unwieldy and oppressive to the people it is supposed to support, a 'regimenarchy.'  So, wouldn't it at least be possible to create a socialist system with all its nice safety nets and useful and pleasant services that is not a regimenarchy?