Socialism does not mean redistribution.
There are currently no socialist countries in Europe, if we take the definition of socialism as social ownership and democratic control of the means of production. Some socialist policies are implemented in some sectors of the economy and society in some countries, but there is no country in Europe where this is true for large enough parts of the economy.
Yeah but any politically active "socialist" in America is talking about "implementing some socialist policies in some sectors of the economy and society" just like in Western Europe
and gets run out by other Americans in all levels of society that imagine North Korea because of the word alone
branding problem. if you are talking about one thing and the other people don't understand, then the language isn't working.
Only if you're American and, honestly, after the shit the American electorate just pulled by electing Trump, you're on your own sorting this shit out. Come back to the world when you've worked out how to behave and not elect dangerous morons.
I thought it's more of a dirty word over in the USA, and in Western + Northern Europe we're generally fine with it. The UK's head of the opposition (Jeremy Corbyn) is a self-described socialist and massively ate into the majority the Conservative party had in the last election. Germany, France and the nordic countries are pretty ok with the word and I know Portugal is the same too. These are just the ones I can speak of, the remainder I'd presume to be not too different.
It's more of an issue in former warsaw pact countries who overthrew a "socialist" government in the late 80s however. I know among my group of friends I'd get eye-rolls and chuckles if I described myself as a socialist
I don't think many of the European nations woukd agree they are socialist, most see themselves trying to balance socialism and capitalism to gain the greatest benefit for all.
How successful their efforts have been is up to the individual to judge.
You are right that it's not as much of a dirty word here.