Socialism, in various forms, ranging from democratic to totalitarian, is as natural as breathing in most parts of the world. From Indonesia to Tanzania, from Russia to Congo to Algeria, from Libya to Sweden to Canada to Mexico to Argentina, practically every nation out there has some variant of socialism.

The odd thing is, the U.S. is the only exception. Socialism never really took off here, not even during the depths of the Depression, a detail that has baffled even socialists, including Stalin.

Some theories given suggest that the U.S.’ lack of a feudal past is the reason why, and that might be part of it, in my view, socialism is largely feudalism, with the state playing the role of the white knight. But that doesn’t satisfy me – after all, in the anti-bellum South, what else could you call the institution of slavery if not feudal? Why didn’t socialism take off there? In fact, that place has gone rightwing.

Anyway, The Times of London has an intriguing essay on the origins of the U.S.’ antisocialism, as well as the phenomenon of American exceptionalism, and thinks the two are related. It’s well worth reading here.