March 6, 2024

 Fear of Communism

It is true that the fear of communism (not communism itself) has pushed for reforms in favor of the poorer classes. However, the general model of liberalism, which has overwhelmingly triumphed over communism, is actually a capitalism moderated by state intervention (democratic socialism) that has prevailed throughout Europe (except in the USA), even where no communist threat was perceived (in the most advanced countries from Switzerland to Sweden). Mass production would not have been possible in countries where the masses could not buy. On the other hand, the state in the West administers around 40% of the GDP, in addition to managing a huge number of enterprises (from railways to waterworks). It's difficult to define it as purely capitalist.