Quote from Mav88:
I once tried to find a uniform definition of socialism, did you know it doesn't exist?
Certain limited socialism works, like auto insurance, but only when it is disciplined by markets and the participants are voluntary. It needs rules and oversight but in general the less government the better. Other types of socialistic ventures, like the military working as a team, work because they are built upon discipline and everyone has a common goal.
I wouldnt really call the military socialist. I mean, first off, they spend way more than they bring in financially. They can earn higher ranks, more power and greater pay the harder they work which isnt really making everyone equal. If they get stuck at a rank and cant advance, they have the option to leave the military and go out and try to make it on their own.
For socialism to work, you need 5 things. Initiative, inventivness, hope, optimism and faith. Socialism generally destroys initiative and inventivness right off the bat and it doesnt do much for hope & optimism either. But at least you got faith that the government check is going to be in the mail every week.