02440cam a22003253u 4500 13706 UtSlPG 20260610133326.0 m cr n 260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d 19007231 UtSlPG en iso639-1 HX Myers, William Starr, 1877-1956 Socialism and American ideals Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2004 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2004-10-11 Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Jeannie Howse and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. "Socialism and American Ideals" by William Starr Myers is a critical examination of socialism's compatibility with American values and principles, written in the early 20th century (specifically, in the post-World War I era). The book functions as a political discourse, reinforcing the argument that socialism contradicts the foundational ideals of democracy and individualism that characterize American governance. Myers intends to shed light on the perceived dangers of socialism to American society, democracy, and religion, providing a perspective rooted in traditional views of individual rights and responsibilities. In the book, Myers systematically critiques socialism, arguing that it undermines the notion of equality of opportunity by favoring collective ownership over individual initiative. He discusses how socialism appeals to certain demographics, particularly among immigrant populations who might be accustomed to alternative forms of government. Myers illustrates this point by referencing historical contexts, such as the failed communal experiments of the Plymouth Colony, to showcase socialism's practical shortcomings. Overall, he advocates for cooperative efforts as a more suitable and effective solution for social challenges, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between government intervention and individual freedoms as the core of American democratic ideals. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Socialism Socialism -- United States https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13706 55094 55094