Socialism is a highly-energized and mobilized political movement—especially among Millennials—in the United States right now. The 2016 presidential primaries saw a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Bernie Sanders, almost defeat establishment candidate Hillary Clinton. The 2018 mid-term elections saw a 28-year-old democratic socialist, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, defeat incumbent House democrat Joseph Crowley. The 2020 elections are being influenced by the burgeoning socialist wing of the Democratic party.

It’s time for us to pay attention to socialism.

For that reason, I sat down with the Heritage Foundation’s Daily Signal podcast and explored the headwaters of contemporary American socialism—Karl Marx and his vision for socialist revolution. Marxist socialism has exercised an enormous influence over world history, exceeded only by Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad.

In the podcast, I summarize Marx’s life and thought, arguing that, more than any other political ideology, Marxism functions—structurally and existentially—like a religion. In fact, French philosopher Raymond Aron once wrote that Marxism:

…provides true Communists with a global interpretation of the universe; it instils sentiments akin to those of the crusaders of all ages; it fixes the hierarchy of values and establishes the norms of good conduct. It fulfils, in the individual and in the collective soul, some of the functions which the sociologist normally ascribes to religions (265).

After having revealed Marxism as a false religion, I explore the disastrous consequences incurred whenever Marxism has been embraced historically. In a nutshell, I argue that Marxist socialism suppresses society instead of liberating it and that it increases poverty rather than reducing it.

To listen to the 30-minute podcast, click here.

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