In the past decade, the idea of democratic socialism has become increasingly common in American politics and among the American public. According to a Gallup poll in November, socialism is nearly as popular as capitalism among the younger generations of U.S. voters, with 49 percent of Millennials and Gen Zers regarding it positively. In a country (and a world) that is trending toward socialism, understanding the foundation upon which this ideology rests becomes increasingly important.

James Madison, in his Federalist 51, asks rhetorically: “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?” Socialism, like any system of government, operates upon a set of basic assumptions regarding the fundamental nature of mankind. And this is exactly where it goes wrong.

Socialism in Theory

As a result of the Fall in Genesis 3, the nature of all humanity became corrupt, poisoned and permeated by sin. According to Psalm 53:3, “They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Only through the work of Christ and the revitalization of the Holy Spirit can this innate inclination toward sin be separated from human nature.

However, the founders of socialism and, as a result, the system of socialism as a whole, didn’t subscribe to the Bible’s view of original sin. Robert Owen, an early socialist before Marx, believed that human nature was merely a result of society. If the conditions of society were changed, he argued, and if people were taught to live and labor in peace and unity, then the nature of man might abandon its selfishness for altruism. Marx himself despised Christianity’s teachings of a fixed human nature and posited ideas similar to Owen’s—that human nature was able to be molded, that capitalism was the primary instigator of the general selfishness of society, and that in the absence of capitalism such sins would lose their grip.

Socialism in Practice

The socialist state rests upon this view of the fundamental or potential goodness of human nature. Most socialist states would depend upon all members of society working together and giving up what was produced to communal storehouses. This assumes not only that all people will work voluntarily to contribute to the common good, but also that people will take only what they need. That is a hopelessly optimistic assessment of human nature. And even if a government mandated a certain amount of work and distributed the proceeds to all who did work, the viability of such a society would rest upon the morality of those powerful few running the government. Historically, this latter version of socialism has bred tyrants, not philanthropists.

Ironically, Christianity, the one thing that might redeem socialism—that might inspire hard work, fair distribution of resources, and a just and honest government—is often a primary victim of oppression or antagonism in socialist states.

Doing What Government Cannot

Despite Marx’s flawed assumptions, many of his critiques against capitalism were valid. Marx took issue with capitalism for its tendency to exploit workers as means to ends and entrench social disparities. He rightly saw ways in which capitalism was broken, but he failed in his attempt to fix it. By ignoring the fundamental reality of human nature, Marx constructed a system with a serious internal flaw—a flaw that would only die with man and sin.

Ultimately, though, every government or economic system contains defects and weaknesses that can and will be exploited out of self-interest and greed. The way to a better society is not through government, but through God. In Zechariah 7:9–10, God commands Israel: “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” Although this charge might be applicable to governments, it is largely directed toward individuals—me and you. Too often do we look toward the government to correct all of society’s injustices. In reality, the ability and the responsibility belong to ourselves. Christians, not capitalism or socialism, can bear the truth of the gospel and the love of Christ to the broken people of this broken world.

Henry Mauser is a senior in high school and a member of Second (Indianapolis, Ind.) RPC. He is a book lover, a sports enthusiast, and an avid competitor on his high school debate team.