The word socialism needs defining each time it's used. Much the same as the word capitalism. It's often confused with authoritarianism and taking away of individual freedoms. It can do that, but doesn't have to.

We manage freedoms. We constantly trade personal ones for the family, community, town, state, country and sometimes the world (security and climate). We do arithmetic and decide what makes sense to us.

New Zealanders (in a strong democracy) made the decision to protect themselves from COVID by adopting messures that for sure impacted individual freedoms. They knowingly gave authority to a competent (and trusted) Prime Minister and administration to manage the situation because it required addressing as a nation. Although the country is not yet out of the woods, to date they have a total of 27 deaths in a population around 5 million. They were way behind the U.S. in vaccinations but now have almost 80% with at least one shot and should have the rest protected by Christmas.

I ask the question: In which country is the indivual more free?