Communism/Socialism v. Capitalism - which one is better really?

[nnmartin]

You can work somewhere else.

in theory perhaps, but the reality is a little different for most people.

I am sure you realise there is a World recession on at the moment and jobs are hard to come by.

and lets remember that one of the main causes of this recession has been the capitalist system itself and the deregulated banking industry.

In socialism, the government owns the means of production, so the small business owner theoretically doesn't even exist.

That would be more of a communist system really as we can still have certain types of private business and ownership with socialism.

 

[Shermana]

Again, the definition of "Socialism" is murky. However much I may disagree with their overall policies, the "Democratic Socialists" in many countries aren't exactly out to completely take over all means of production....

Or are they...?

 

[Iti oj]

hwat if a country had a democratic government and a socialist economy?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

 

[jarofthoughts]

hwat if a country had a democratic government and a socialist economy?

You mean like we have in Norway?

 

[illykitty]

I'm not a big fan of capitalism because it fuels the thought that we have infinite resources and we should just keep consuming... More and more! It also breeds inequality, greed, heavy competition at the expense of another country's resources, wildlife, etc.

You see what I mean anyway. I do think that we could do better. Socialism is at least a step in a better direction. Or we need to invent another type of system or find a solution to issues regarding communism.

Nordic countries have some of the highest equality in the world according to this website: Home | The Equality Trust They use socialism for their economy.

TL;DR version, capitalism is an anti-economy. It should be just called an omnomconomy since it eats up everything. I think anything else could be better!

 

[mycorrhiza]

Nordic countries have some of the highest equality in the world according to this website: Home | The Equality Trust They use socialism for their economy.

Sadly, we're all capitalist countries. A few companies are owned by the states, but that's about it. We have a quite nice welfare system, though.

 

[Hevenly Heathen]

Perhaps there could be a blending of both. A capatist economy, where there are taxes going towards a better welfare system; one better ran and where there is accountability.

 

[nnmartin]

That is pure cant.

endless repetition of the same old, insincere untruths about socialism.


(source: dictionary.com)

cant 1 (kænt) — n 1. insincere talk, esp concerning religion or morals; pious platitudes 2. stock phrases that have become meaningless through repetition 3. specialized vocabulary of a particular group, such as thieves, journalists, or lawyers; jargon

 

[The Sum of Awe]

That is pure cant.

endless repetition of the same old, insincere untruths about socialism.


(source: dictionary.com)

What else is Socialism? What do you think it is?

 

[Hevenly Heathen]

What else is Socialism? What do you think it is?

It's a distribution based on work done. Meaning if you didn't do anywork, you don't get anything. If you sit in an office on the phone all day or globe trot, you aren't doing as much as those at the bottom of the chain.

 

[nnmartin]

What else is Socialism? What do you think it is?

in a nutshell, I'd say Socialism to be a system in which everyone co-operates in order to benefit society as a whole rather than focus only on competition and profit, as is the norm with Capitalism.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

It's a distribution based on work done. Meaning if you didn't do anywork, you don't get anything. If you sit in an office on the phone all day or globe trot, you aren't doing as much as those at the bottom of the chain.

If you don't do any work, in a socialist society, you do get something, and that's the problem I have with it...

 

[Hevenly Heathen]

Competition does not benefit from equality, and competition breeds subjugation and kills new ideas. Look at the monopolies around the early 20th century.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

in a nutshell, I'd say Socialism to be a system in which everyone co-operates in order to benefit society as a whole rather than focus only on competition and profit, as is the norm with Capitalism.

It doesn't have to be a competition, and in a socialist society, hardly anyone will cooperate since you get paid even if you don't work.

 

[Hevenly Heathen]

If you don't do any work, in a socialist society, you do get something, and that's the problem I have with it...

Under some definitions, but not the one I used

I support Socialism, but as long as there are measure to prevent mooching. If you are unwilling to do your fair share, you can go without.

In Capitalism... How fair is it to make a thousands of dollars off of your labors single dollars? They create what you need to make your money, but you don't reward them, and if they get upset and leave, you know you can fill that position, so what reason do you have to treat them any better?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Under some definitions, but not the one I used

I support Socialism, but as long as there are measure to prevent mooching. If you are unwilling to do your fair share, you can go without.

In Capitalism... How fair is it to make a thousands of dollars off of your labors single dollars? They create what you need to make your money, but you don't reward them, and if they get upset and leave, you know you can fill that position, so what reason do you have to treat them any better?

How isn't it fair to use your own money?

 

[Hevenly Heathen]

How isn't it fair to use your own money?

Please explain to me the process of your monetary accumulation.

 

[nnmartin]

It doesn't have to be a competition, and in a socialist society, hardly anyone will cooperate since you get paid even if you don't work.

You can still get paid different amounts in a socialist system, it doesn't need to be literal financial equality for everyone.

And how about welfare/free health in most Western nations - do you think that should be abolished?

 

[Mathematician]

If you don't do any work, in a socialist society, you do get something, and that's the problem I have with it...

Says who?

"From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs" is a communist slogan, and even that rejects your premise.