socialism v. capitalism: Rating Options

[NoSex]

i view capitalism as a mode of economic & social infancy. i think that it is regressive to society, poisonous, & under-developing.

i point to these basic "flaws" in capitalism*:
1. the emphasis on profit as opposed to utility.
2. the creation of oligarchy & plutocracy.
3. the unfair/uneven distribution of wealth.
4. the creation of a significant class divide.
5. the inability of capitalism, alone, to provide the people with necessities.
6. the exploitation of the working class.
7. the existence of crime in excess, caused by class struggle, poverty, & proletariat anxiety.
8. the creation of an oppressive institution (i.e. the police state, the church, the education system) in order to secure profits to a specific & elite population.

i point to these basic "benefits" in socialism*:
1. the emphasis on utility.
2. the destruction of plutocracy & (in many forms) oligarchy.
3. the fair distribution of wealth.
4. the destruction of a significant class divide.
5. the ability of socialism to provide for its people, necessities.
6. the affirmation of the working class.
7. the absence of crime invoked by squalor & proletariat anxiety.
8. the destruction of specific oppressive institutions & the opportunity to reform the state (i.e. despite the pull of capital & profits).

DISCUSS.

*quotation marks provided for argument's sake. whatever.

[illriginal]

Obama is a puppet...


Anyways, Socialism in my opinion is the perfect political and economic system. But it is nearly impossible to have this form of utopia because humans are simply fallible, thus making it hard for socialism to exist in its' purity.

The one thing that bugs me the most is when people simply associate Socialism with Karl Marx. That's Marxism. Not Socialism in its' pure form. Study all the ancient tribes and their "governing" system and you'll discover that majority of the ancients all lived in socialized government.

People also make the mistake of associating socialism with communism. This is also a grave mistake. Some people need to watch the documentaries on Hugo Chavez so they can get a good idea of how Socialism works in real life. Even though Hugo isn't exactly the best candidate, at least he follows the core principles of a socialized nation.

[Kontroll]

Obama is a puppet...
Anyways, Socialism in my opinion is the perfect political and economic system. But it is nearly impossible to have this form of utopia because humans are simply fallible, thus making it hard for socialism to exist in its' purity.

The one thing that bugs me the most is when people simply associate Socialism with Karl Marx. That's Marxism. Not Socialism in its' pure form. Study all the ancient tribes and their "governing" system and you'll discover that majority of the ancients all lived in socialized government.

People also make the mistake of associating socialism with communism. This is also a grave mistake. Some people need to watch the documentaries on Hugo Chavez so they can get a good idea of how Socialism works in real life. Even though Hugo isn't exactly the best candidate, at least he follows the core principles of a socialized nation.

I agree. I believe Obama is a puppet as well. I believe very much that the Bildeberg Group has alot to do with our world economy and how this country is run.

I think that I might have to agree with you. I don't know much about politics, but I'm glad that you brought up humans in this ever debated equation. The system is not perfect, but it's really the people we should look at. We're in a time where people are out to get rich quick and living in a more individualistic society. Socialism, I feel just wouldn't work as of yet.

Yes, Socialism has been connected to some very backwards ideals such as those of Hitler and Karl Marx, but it was the men that drove those societies to the ground.

You know what? I don't even know what I'm talking about. All I know is that Socialism at this point in time wouldn't work.

Nate, do you understand what I'm saying? It seems like the government is going through a transition from capitalism to socialism every year. More and more regulations. Bigger and bigger government. More equality. Am I wrong in this ideology?

[mipadi]

I think that I might have to agree with you. I don't know much about politics, but I'm glad that you brought up humans in this ever debated equation. The system is not perfect, but it's really the people we should look at. We're in a time where people are out to get rich quick and living in a more individualistic society. Socialism, I feel just wouldn't work as of yet.

So why capitalism? Does capitalism work any better when combined with the human element? Is capitalism any less corrupt?

[Kontroll]

So why capitalism? Does capitalism work any better when combined with the human element? Is capitalism any less corrupt?

I'm not saying it's the only and best way, but it's worked for the United States for over 200 years. Why the sudden change of feeling? That's really what I want to know.

Just a few quotes to bring up that I found on another forum and some things to discuss:

"rule by corporations is not socialism actually /// privatized gains and socialized losses? NOT socialism"

"Liberals aren't the only ones attempting to flush this nation's freedom down the toilet OP(original poster), have you ever thought that conservatives make bullshit laws which take individual rights away from nonviolent citizens, and somethimes gets them life in prision, just because a conservative says, "THERE SHOULD BE A LAW AGAINST MARIJUANA."

These conservatives are not only taking away our individual rights, but they are also inflicting a light form of facism upon this great nation.
You see, conservatives see something as a "sin" so to change the ideals of these sinners, you use force. Governmental force. This is fascism people!"

"Socialized medicine will provide a higer level of genuine freedom for americans than for-profift medical insurance ever has. The latter system serves to keep people locked in an eternal cycle of servitude that constituts a barrier to one's genuine persuit of happiness."

Discuss.

[mipadi]

I'm not saying it's the only and best way, but it's worked for the United States for over 200 years. Why the sudden change of feeling? That's really what I want to know.

Oh, sure it's worked -- for the bourgeois. Capitalism has done its job of keeping rich white men rich, there's no doubt about that. But the working classes? Capitalism supplies them with just enough to keep them from doing anything drastic about their situation. Plus, the working classes are socialized through education, etc., to believe that they can improve their situation merely by working hard.