Is Belize a "socialist country"?
 

A friend of mine has a bee in her bonnel about socialism. She told me today that Belize is a socialist country. Since I didn't want to discuss politics with her, I didn't ask what she meant by saying it was socialist. So I can't be more specific.

Does anyone know if Belize is socialist?

OOps! That's supposed to be "a bee in her bonnet."

If by "socialist," you mean some government intervention in the economy and the welfare of its citizens, Belize is more socialist than the United States. In varying degrees, I think every country south of the border has more "socialism" to its system than the U.S does. In the grand scheme of things, I'd say no, Belize is not really a socialist country.

I think Costa Rica is the most socialist country in Central America, and one of the most socialist in Latin America. The government owns and operates most of the banks, all insurance, all telecommunications, all Internet, all electricity, all water, and even all distilling of liquor. All these things have been privatized elsewhere in Latin America, but they are still state monopolies in Costa Rica. The state also operates the health-care system, and it's pretty good. There is a parallel private system that operates along side the public one. Economically, Costa Rica chose to model itself on Europe, particularly Scandinavia. It has never looked to the United States as an economic role model.

If your friend is using "socialist" interchangeably with "Communist," then, no, not at all for Belize or Costa Rica.

With Jeff's good info to back you up, I'd first ask her why she considers Belize a socialist country. Often, behind empty labeling of something, there is not much substance.

Belize is a democratic nation with free enterprise

To be precise: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Thanks for the responses. I agree that behind this empty labeling there is usually nothing of substance.