Definition of: An economic system in which the basic means of production are primarily owned and controlled collectively, usually by government under some system of central planning.
Socialism Works Well Only For The Many
Who Have Lost Their "Will"
AND For The "Will," of The Few, Who Need To Control The Many
In The End It Allows Only For "Victims" To "Survive"
And Those Who Had "Survived" To Become "Victims"
There Is A Crucial Difference Between
Helping Those In Need...
And Needing, To Need, To "Help" The "Needy"
For Whatever Reason...
r.s.g. 10/12/08
4 comments:
Rich
I liked your post. However, I must point out that I suspect that, at its core, socialism is good. The communal life of the apostles, traditional monasticism, and the modern neo-monastic movement are all a "socialism" of sorts. The socialism you speak of is certainly not the only way socialism can happen, rather, it is a corrupt form of something good. Regardless, capitalism has many if not more problems...
Jason
Thanks Jason for commenting... Obviously this format makes a thorough response tricky, but here goes. Besides, I am not an expert on Socio-Political theory. But as I understand it I…
Actually I think the kind of Socialism that the early church embraced intermittently was actually (generally speaking) a more pure form of communism - A system of altruism - whereby the individual's in the community exist to provide for and enhance the life of the many. Unfortunately, because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of sustaining that kind of altruism for any length of time (Read: Animal Farm, by George Orwell).- it is also worth noting the collapse of Communism in recent history. Garden variety Communism says: “The needs of the many outweigh the rights of individual.
In addition, I think one of the primary problem with socialism is that individual rights eventually, take over and paralyze the socio-economic structure. Gov't provides everything and personal responsibility eventually becomes a non-factor. Some parts of socialism are clearly important and can work but ultimately, it works well only for those individuals who participate in it on a temporary basis... In socialism, eventually, the needs of the individual out weight the rights and needs of the many.
I think there is a difference between hyper-capitalism (our current state culturally), and a person who says: "I will provide this quality product or service for you, if you will pay me a "reasonable" price (capital). Hyper-capitalism and our current free market system, says: "Charge as much as the market will bear." Things become even more obfuscated when "marketing," and the grinding powerful psychologizing approach is used to convince people not just of their need, and what their need should be; but also the legitimization of our "wants" as well. There are a number of people who argue that "Capitalism" is based on greed and that's why it works. I.e. “I want money, so I will make something that you want; so you will pay what I want because you want it so badly.” I think this can be somewhat true, (particularly in our current milieu) but it doesn't always have to be true. As we are painfully finding out now, right?
So, now we’ve sort of bought into a kind of “socialism” by buying out a significant portion of the market. I am not sure, that I want our gov’t “owning” stocks, bonds, commodities etc. and controlling what is supposed to be a “free market.” On the other hand, I don’t want a market that permits unrestrained greed at any cost. The Wall Street Financiers have taken to look and act a whole like the “Ferengi,”
When Lori and I lived in Spain we saw some of the beautiful things about a socialized medical system as well as some of the abuses. A socialized system made health care available for every Spanish citizen. No Spaniards fear that they will go bankrupt be cause they get sick or injured. Also, the cost of private health care was significantly less even though the care was not of different quality than what you would find in the USA (in fact, Spaniards have higher longevity than Americans).
On the down side there were definitely those who abused the system and a sense of entitlement was easily found in the Spanish population. There was also a sense that if the Government offered something for free then everyone SHOULD take advantage of it.
I do struggle with the Hyper-capitalism that you describe in the USA. I think we put too much trust in the ability of the free markets to work things out. Often the thing that gives someone the highest payout is not the best thing for society or the most ethical. Bill Gates says that capitalism only works where there is money in the first place and that the poor are not able to get into the system because they have nothing (apparent) to offer.
Here is a video of him speaking at the World Economic Forum. Let me know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql-Mtlx31e8
Thanks Matt, for your great input! Socialization however as you encompasses much more than just the medical system. Glad that Spain's is so good... I've not heard much good about the one in Canada, although there may be others out there who had a different experience! Great to hear from you brother!
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