Throughout history, left-leaning governments and their supporters have always claimed the high ground of moral superiority, stating that they have the best interests of average people at heart in the government policies that they promote. Leftists especially say that they support those who are in the least fortunate groups in society. Socialists always portray themselves as the champions of equality as they advocate such things as equality of outcome, not equality of opportunity. Unfortunately for them, the facts never bear out their claims.
Time after time throughout history, socialism in its many variations has failed to deliver on its promise of wonderful outcomes for everyone. Why? Because socialism flies in the face of human nature. The old Karl Marx slogan, “From each according to their ability, to each according to their needs,” never seemed to account for the fact that a significant proportion of people would slack off if they believed someone else would cover their cost of living. As for those that initially were more prone to work hard and contribute to the greater good, they would eventually realize their hard work was merely subsidizing the lazy folks, so they’d start to get lazy themselves. History has proven that out many times.
Why would anyone work without reward? No one does that for long. And that is exactly why socialism will never be a workable political system. Indeed, throughout history socialist/communist systems consistently fail, and sadly often include horrific outcomes such as the deaths of millions of people as the dictators in charge do things like mandate people to stop farming and move into cities (the Mao famine in China which killed about 40 million people), the forced industrialization of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin (which killed millions), the man-made famine of the Holodomor in Ukraine created by Stalin, and so many more. All in the name of socialism that was supposed to benefit all citizens, especially the lower income folks, yet really only worked to the advantage of the elites at the top.
The long, failed history of socialism has been well-documented, yet it still continues to appeal. The promise of something for nothing, which is basically the promise of socialism, is endlessly attractive. And of course, so few people these days seem to have an understanding of history, they come upon the notion of socialism as a relatively new concept, that always appears so very entrancing at first blush.
A good recent example of the failure of these policies can be seen in the governments of former prime minister Justin Trudeau and now Prime Minister Mark Carney in Canada. Despite all the massive government spending supposedly intended to help lower- and middle-income Canadians, recent data show that income inequality has actually increased rather substantially since these Liberals were first elected in 2015. How could this have happened with such a left-leaning government? Turns out, pretty easily.
Data from early 2026 in Canada show that the gap between the highest and lowest income households has reached record highs. Data show that starting in the first quarter of 2025, the income gap between the top 40 per cent and the bottom 40 per cent of households reached a record 61.4 percentage points. A good proportion of this difference came about because of financial market gains that always benefit the well-off at the expense of lower-income citizens. The mismanagement of the housing market by the Liberals was also a factor, as current property owners benefitted over those seeking to purchase houses in a difficult market.
Both the Trudeau and Carney governments have been characterized by big spending, which tends to boost financial markets, benefiting the well-off. Such spending also feeds into inflation, which disproportionately damages lower income Canadians. In other words, this Liberal government that claims to help middle- and lower-income Canadians has actually pursued policies that help the rich and penalize everyone else. Sadly, many Canadians are not aware of this ridiculous Liberal government approach.
Another problematic Liberal policy has been to direct more wealth toward the already-comfortable retired boomer generation, while neglecting younger age groups that are struggling to establish themselves by purchasing houses and starting families. Clearly the socialist approach being pursued by the current Liberals is not helping the 18-35 generation at all, which does not bode well for Canada’s future.
There is a corny old saying that the best social program is a job. Despite its corniness, it continues to be true. In classic socialist tradition, our current Liberal government is promoting things such as its school food program for children, as who could possibly be against feeding hungry kids? But that is not the point. As people are encouraged to become more dependent on government, they lose their qualities of self-reliance, independence and pride in their ability to take care of themselves and their families. There is a dignity to work and not being dependent on government for your welfare. Socialists seem to forget about this in their zeal to make everyone dependent on the government dole.
The facts show consistently how socialism and the dependence on government it encourages ultimately does not benefit any society. Our recent data in Canada prove this yet again. Sadly, despite centuries of evidence, people still are entranced by the failed promise of socialism. Despite all evidence to the contrary, it seems some fantasies will never end.
She has published numerous articles in journals, magazines & other media on issues such as free trade, finance, entrepreneurship & women business owners. Ms. Swift is a past President of the Empire Club of Canada, a former Director of the CD Howe Institute, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, past President of the International Small Business Congress and current Director of the Fraser Institute. She was cited in 2003 & 2012 as one of the most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network & is a recipient of the Queen’s Silver & Gold Jubilee medals.
