Socialists Cite Public Libraries While Pushing for Broad Government Control

The column contends that Democratic Socialists portray libraries as harmless examples while championing extensive state ownership of food, health, education and other sectors.

In this opinion piece, the writer asserts that Democratic Socialists of America and allied politicians use public libraries as a benign talking point while advocating for government control of essential sectors such as food, education, energy, medicine and transportation. Quotations from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are cited to illustrate the strategy of framing libraries as a modest socialist win.

The article recounts that early American libraries began as private, subscription-based ventures initiated by Benjamin Franklin, and later expanded through Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic grants, before becoming largely tax-supported institutions. Recent data showing a sharp drop in library patronage in the United Kingdom and United States are presented as evidence that digital access diminishes the relevance of publicly funded libraries.

The author contrasts the DSA’s vision with the economic freedom rankings of Canada, Australia and the United States, arguing that these “democratic socialist” nations are actually among the world’s most market-oriented economies. References to health-care debates, including remarks by Paul Krugman and Michael Cannon, are used to underscore the claim that the U.S. already mixes public and private elements. Ultimately, the column warns that the library example masks a larger push to dismantle private property and emulate authoritarian regimes.