Hi John, thank you for your comment! And apologies for the belated response.

Your question is a pertinent one and has been on my mind as well, though I believe the answer is simpler than we may suspect.

I would say it depends on the manner in which we evolve towards socialism. If it is brought on by a sudden collapse of the capitalist paradigm, then I would think the vast majority of people would be willing to embrace a system that places the environment and egalitarianism at its core.

If we move slowly towards a society-based system, the beneficiaries of capitalism are bound to remain outliers, for they have seen the bulk of the wealth from profiteering flow into their coffers.

However, gradual change towards equality-based policies would allow the masses to realize the potential of shifting our focus from profit to people and would eventually come to insist that these policies be made permanent.

As regards to collectivism, yes it may be possible now, though under our current system it is very difficult to implement and most people would be wary of the vulnerability which naturally arises from living "outside the norm."

I do not believe violent coercion would be necessary at all once people see the true benefits of maintaining a system that supports their lives and dreams in a way that most other systems cannot or will not.