Alex Tokarev grew up in Bulgaria during the Cold War. Life under socialism, he says, was “miserable.” Twenty-five years ago, he and his wife moved to the United States, and he now teaches economics at Northwood University in Midland. Tokarev offers a blunt warning for Americans flirting with socialism.

“Socialism is inhumane,” he told me during a recent discussion. “It will destroy everything you value about your life. It always fails because it is based on flawed anthropology and the naive belief that human nature can be changed at will.”

Tokarev explained that socialism is about control. “Elites, not hard-working people, want socialism,” he said. “Why? Because it gives them complete control over those who produce wealth — entrepreneurs and workers.”

Tokarev has at least two good reaso

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