Final answer:
The statement that 'socialism has never failed because it has never been tried' is controversial. While there have been attempts to implement socialist policies to varying degrees in different countries, the success or failure of socialism is subjective and depends on one's perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'socialism has never failed because it has never been tried' is a controversial one. While it is true that there has never been a purely socialist country that has existed, there have been several countries that have attempted to implement socialist policies to varying degrees. Examples include the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba. However, critics argue that these countries did not achieve true socialism and instead devolved into authoritarian regimes. Additionally, there are mixed results from countries that have implemented social democratic policies, such as Sweden and Norway. In conclusion, while socialism has been attempted in various forms, its success or failure is subjective and depends on one's perspective.