Academically, socialism works. Without greed, jealousy, a competitive spirit, and other emotions that make up the complexities of the human spirit, it’s accepted by most experts that a system of a tyrannical form of socialist government functions.
The idea, though, thatallindividuals will be satisfied with their own possessions regardless of how hard they work, and that others should determine what they earn based on a collective need, is rejected through so many living examples of failed government.
Why Socialism or Communism don't work.
If you don't own it, your not going to workor take care of it. Look at apartments that are turned into condos. When the apartments are rented, the renters don't own the apartments. They arenot likely to care if something gets broken and mistreated thus lowering the value, because it is not theirs. It is the landlords. It is his problem. (Who cares, no skin off my nose?) However once the people buy the condos and it becomes their property, they now have a vested interest in keeping it in good shape. While they were renters they were living under Socialism (no ownership). Once they brought the condo, they became Capitalist. (ownership) and their thinking changed.
Under true Socialism or Communism, Steve Jobs could not have brought the parts for his prototype computer. If he knew that his hard work, would never allow him to make more money then his neighbor who spends his time watching mindless TV shows, why would he even bother to waste his time trying to invent something new and useful. Why not take it easy? Everybody else does. In Germany and France, union employees get months of paid vacation time. Take it easy, you'll get paid!
Socialism and Communism kill the 'will' to work, competition, innovation and creativity. Why compete to work? You won't make any more money. Why spend time innovating new ideas, or being creative, there won't be anything in it for me. As a result they fail to provide goods and services for their citizens. The Soviet Eastern Communist countries of the 20th century were noted for not having much goods and services for their citizens. Yet, the ruling class always had plenty of everything, and it was usually imported from capitalist countries. While we have rich people in America, we also have a large middle class, that live comfortable lives. Even many if not most poor people in America have refrigerators, TVs, and food on the table.