There is debate about the meaning of socialism. For many decades it was not even focused on economics, it was more about social justice and politics. It didn’t assume the description of public ownership of the means of production until Karl Marx. Bernie calls Denmark “democratic socialism”, Denmark prefers “social democracy”, the latter pointing out that productive capital is still owned privately. But the differences are not that dramatic, as Denmark has strong government controls on capitalist enterprises, and has substantial social programs. It may debatable whether it should technically be called “socialist”, but it has a strong element of socialism in its economic system.

Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela are outliers. They were always an extreme form of socialism. They are not significant in discussing economic systems for the rest of the world, except as bogeymen to be used by people who want to fan the flames of fear. The form of socialism proposed by Bernie and many young people is the type used in Denmark. Trotting out the USSR or Cuba as cudgels is deflection.