I'd say most people swallow the hook that 'socialism =...

I'd say most people swallow the hook that 'socialism = autocracy' which is the political attack propaganda favoured by fascist-type politics and the educationally remiss. A need to ostracise, to create an enemy so they can be there to protect a vulnerable populace from certain destruction. It finds its way into the mainstream when we lose our bearings.

Most people would prefer a democratic socialist country to an authoritarian capitalist democracy.