[R. Scott]

Given that the two centuries of socialists' experiments, whether by utopians, Marxists, or Fabians, always ended in economic failure and a loss of personal liberty, why are people around the globe still proudly proclaiming themselves socialists?

A couple reasons come to mind. If a person is poor and downtrodden and can’t figure out how to improve their lot in life they would view socialism as a way of having that improvement handed to them. This would be particularly apropos in third world countries.
If the person is well off but feels guilty about their wealth advocating socialism will help salve their conscious.
The loss of personal liberty would be meaningless to a people who have never experienced personal liberty.

[libertylover]

...why are people around the globe still proudly proclaiming themselves socialists?

Miss Hilary might not admit to being a socialist though she certainly is. In her mind, the only reason socialism hasn't succeeded in the past is because she has never been in charge.

[txroadhawg]

"If a person is poor and downtrodden and can’t figure out how to improve their lot in life they would view socialism as a way of having that improvement handed to them. This would be particularly apropos in third world countries."

Problem is, it dosen't bring them up to the average, it brings the average down to them.