Bernie vs Corbyn: I know which socialism I prefer

By: Carl Sacklen, Politics student

I am still unsure on which Democrat nominee I support, but I know for sure that I prefer the Bernie socialism to the Corbyn socialism.

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I’m no socialist, and I don’t live in the USA, but I have been following Bernie Sanders with intrigue since he announced his candidacy for Democrat nominee. I suppose it was the ‘socialist’ part that caught my attention; a “Commie” was in the race for the Oval office. However, his socialism is exactly why I, arguably naively, dismissed him. I mean seriously, how could someone even slightly liberal be in with a shot at the White House? We are indeed talking about the same electorate that half of which would prefer a leader who speaks bluntly about Islamic extremists even if what they say is belittling of Islam as a whole.

Since his steady gaining in the polls and his frankly staggering success in the recent Iowa caucus against Democrat favourite Hillary Clinton, I have been forced to re-examine my stance on Mr Sanders. I am sure that Clinton is really feeling the heat now with ‘the Bern’ so close behind her. Her winning streak, obtained with a coin toss by the way, is in no way safe from Sanders, who managed to secure 84% of the 17–29-year-old vote (versus Clinton’s feeble 14%) and 58% of the 30–44 vote (versus Clinton’s less feeble, but still modest 37%).

So what is my new stance on Bernie? Well, I’m fascinated, to be honest. I still don’t know which of the Democrat nominees I would like to see shaking hands with our Prime Minister, but I do know I prefer his form of ‘socialism’ to that of our very own revolutionary Mr Corbyn.

This brings me to my next area of interest. Why is it that so many of Corbyn’s supporters are vouching for Sanders despite one being a far cry from the other. Sanders is in no way the Corbyn of the USA - not on policy anyway. Just look at foreign policy. Sanders hardly ever mentions it in his campaigns, despite backing military action in the Balkans in 1999 and US presence in Afghanistan. Corbyn, however, is openly and vocally against any intervention, and in his 33-year career has never voted for it. Even on domestic policy, whilst both fight for a decrease in inequality, Sanders is promoting a more ethical capitalist system that would resemble that of Scandinavia, but Corbyn is leaning more towards the post-war nationalised economy. So these differences beg the question why Corbyn’s supporters are so keen on Sanders despite their obvious differences. I mean, the former calls Hamas “friends” whilst the American alternative criticized them for firing missiles into populated areas.

It must be because both are revolutionary in their respective political eras and systems. Both are breaking ground and have a surprisingly and seemingly large support base. Not only that, but he’s probably as left as you’re going to get in mainstream American politics today, so why would the most left in mainstream UK politics not be compelled to “feel the Bern”?

I look forward to hearing more about Sanders and whether his momentum will carry on through to the final caucus or whether it will “Bern out”. Personally, I identify myself with the centre of the UK political spectrum, or the Democrats in the USA and I am still unsure on which Democrat nominee I support, but I know for sure that I prefer the Bernie socialism to the Corbyn socialism.