What's the difference between socialism and slavery?

Merriam-Websters 11th Collegiate Dictionary defines socialism as, among other things,
1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
It defines slavery as
1 : DRUDGERY, TOIL
2 : submission to a dominating influence
3 a : the state of a person who is the chattel of another b : the practice of slave holding
Common ground between the two definitions looks slavery's second definition. Both definitions omit the taking of property by force characteristic of both scenarios.
Merriam-Webster's third definition is the most surprising:
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.
On the other hand, this also happens in systems based on slavery. It's all faicomplicated, isn't it?

There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism -- by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide. – Ayn Rand, LA Times,

None of the above. Socialism is a failed political ideology based on the distribution of wealth without a mechanism to drive productivity. Slavery is forcing people to do work against there will. They have nothing to do with one another. If anything, there opposites, since socialism doesn't force people to work and distributes wealth too evenly, and slavery forces a few people to work extremely hard, and concentrates wealth into the hands of the very few.

If this comparison has any legitimacy at all, its that extreme capitalism has the common ground with slavery, and socialism is the opposite. Both sides of the equation are still dead wrong. You need a balance. Sure, its not as easy as going to either extreme, but it actually works.

To the poster of the quetion. You are really digging deep here. There is no comparison to the barbaric acts of slavery that still exist in so many countries and the effects and scars of wich are still eveident in this country almost 150 years later. I know you want to push your anti Socialism agenda, I have no problem with that, but can you at least be realistic? There was is no response available for a debate. If you already know the answers why ask the question. It is fine to have personal views that differ but you take no reguard to common sense.

Modern slavery exists in many forms, some are more transparent, some more latent. Socialism has a mixture of both, using economy, and social engineering among other things. It is insideous, pervasive, and ultimately, harmful for personal and national health. I know of not a single government over a long-term that has truly advanced or thrived to the good because of it. But if we do not learn from the past, we can surely repeat history without much effort. Time will tell for the USA!

Socialism sees no color. Every American will experience Obama's plan. Work, work, work and let Obama have it to devide it up as he sees fit.
Here's what's left for you and your family if Obama wins. Vote McCain/Palin 2008

For those who support socialism, all I can think of is," what fools these mortals be" that support it. Absolutely abolish it, as it goes against freedom and the Constitution of our beloved country.

Do you even know what socialism is?
Most Americans don't actually know what it is, they just make outrageous claims

I like the 4th answer too abolish them both

>to each according to his Deed"

do you mean 'need'?

Socialism IS communism in practice.

Need proof?

What was the full name of Soviet communist empire?

What was the full name of Soviet communist empire?

well some of them had more than others.. but not many

Socialism = war.

Really?
And capitalism doesn't, why don't you check your history and try and find a war where economic gains wasnt an influencing factor. Admittedly the sterotypical veiw of socialism starts with a revolution, but It certainly doesn't have to, and anyway didn't america start with a Revolution?
The USSR was an aggressor in the Cold War but who on earth could tell me that america wasn't
I'd love you to back yourself up. Email me at jasonellar@hotmail.co.uk if you have a decent answer, I dont think I'll come back to this site any time soon

Finally, someone who knows socialism isn't slavery or one person telling everyone what to do :D

Ahem, a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.

Not sounding like telling everyone what to do?

All socialism always comes down to slavery to the collective state and suppression of the individual. Capitalism involves the unequal distribution of wealth.

Socialism involves the equal distribution of misery.

My comment was more one stating that opposition to socialism is worth no less then war.

And in socialism, the workers go into it voluntarily. That is, if they started out as a democracy and voted in a socialist government.

i think that there is a big difference. Id bet my paycheck that the person who asked this question is white. Slavery is not to be explained or described in a few lines or even a book. It takes years and years of personal experience. It takes sitting beside your grandmother and explain there childhood and there mother and fathers life. Slavery was a total change a mentality to an entire race. Im sure wont believe me so when you get a chance take a glimpse into the barbaric history of slavery by reading the willie lynch letters. Thats simply a dose of what it was like. Whatever you may think socialism is, its not really all that. Your probally thinking more of communism. The basis of socialism is to help people and help support the trampled on in life. That is the foundation of it all. While i dont totally agree with it i think it can sometimes serve its purposes. Im a republican and i stand by what i believe and I also believe in with liberty and justice for all. Something not very popular with most republicans.

> Id bet my paycheck that the person who asked this question is white.

Please send me your paycheck.

Let's see if you live by your word or you just make statements for effect.

Looks like you won a bet!

Socialism is a failed attempt at distribution of wealth at all levels of society - Slavery is every American willing to trust the greed driven globalists and there prospect of a New World Order because once we allow them such power there is no turning back from it and that is tha problem... we the American people are tha answer to opressiom not these fascist pigs my friends in this time of need I ask u to remember independance and tha tyranny our forefathers fought to keep off this soil

Is tha America u look forward to, not me

Awesome! Glad to hear someone explain it in layman's terms. Maybe now the liberals will get their heads out of the clouds!

The Nazis started out as socialists back in the 20s but as soon as Hitler took over they modedled their government after Italy's(fascist).

Very true. The German's didn't do everything the way Italy did. They made some obvious tweeks of their own. That is what probably made Germany the economic power it was during the time.

Fantastic!!

Slaves had no choice. They were either brought into it or born into the mess. Socialism, what can we say except we are about to have some left step'n, brainwashed people try to vote it in for us.

Socialism is where you allow east coast leftist liberal pinheads make decisions for all Americans. These self-annointed elite think they know what's best for you and how best to spend your money. They want govt to run your life from cradle to grave.

Art you still want to abolish slavery? (4th answer choice)

Yes.

Slavery still exists outside the USA.

If you think the wording of the choice is unclear just think of it as:

'Let's make sure socialism goes the way of slavery in the USA.'