They've been nationalizing stuff like Fidel Castro on a Don Quixote kick... As far as my non-economist pea-brain can comprehend, the difference is something like this: under socialism the state takes over companies that are profitable, while under capitalism we get to take over firms that are failing. Lucky us. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091602174_pf.html