quote:
"Consider the following four countries: Cuba, China, North Korea, and Vietnam.
Wouldn't everyone concede that all four of those countries have socialist systems?"
You then do not concede that Cuba, China, North Korea, etc. have socialist systems?
No, I would not categorize the four states you listed as Socialist.
Cuba, Vietnam, and China are communist regimes or lean in that direction. Communism is a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single party holds power. Usaually state controls are imposed, private ownership and capital are eliminated. The goal is to progress to a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared (i.e., a classless society)
North Korea is ruled by one individual and his minions, not a collection of individuals as in communism, socialism, democracies, etc. Therefore, I would categorize North Korea as a totalitarian regime, not socialist.