In the last year, it seems that almost everywhere you look. Capitalism is being displayed as the “big evil”, and is the source of the economic woes that the western world is facing.
The Occupy Wall Street movement, the green movement, political parties, and unions have all been pushing the ideas of socialism both in Canada and America. Even though the majority of them do not flat out call it socialism. It is.
The idea that capitalism is the problem has perplexed me for some time now. The dictionary definition of capitalism is:
cap·i·tal·ism
[kap-i-tl-iz-uhm]
an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or
state-owned means of wealth.
It was this very idea that gave immigrants from all around the world. A desire to come to America in the 1800′s and early 1900′s. The idea of the American dream.
But now over 100 years later, it has become very evident that we do not live in a capitalist system (especially after the bailouts). What we have lived under is called corporatism, and the dictionary definition of this is:
CORPORATISM:
the organization of a society into industrial and professional corporations serving as organs of political representation and exercising control over persons and activities within their jurisdiction
The Federal reserve bank in America posing as a federal government institution, and the Canadian banking system allowing privately own banks to create our currency is a direct example of corporatism.
The revolving door policies that many people complain about, are more of an indirect example of corporatism.
For example:
Donald Rumsfeld and Aspartame.
Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, Rumsfeld was a four-term U.S. Congressman from Illinois (1962-1969), Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity (1969-1970), Counsellor to the President (1969-1973), the United States Permanent Representative to NATO (1973-1974), and White House Chief of Staff (1974-1975).
After leaving “public service” Rumsfeld held the position of chairman with G.D. Searle. A company owned by Monsanto. The FDA had actually banned aspartame. Only to have Rumsfeld vow to “call in his markers” to get it approved.
And approved it was. Making Monsanto, and Rumsfeld millions of dollars, even while he was secretary of defense under the Bush cabinet (2001-2006).
The solutions being brought forward by the variety of groups (advocacy and political) are socialist by nature. Increased taxation on middle/upper class people, government subsidized education (“free”), A one wage fits all approach for workers, etc.
Dictionary definition of Socialism:
1. Compare capitalism an economic theory or system in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned by the community collectively, usually through the state. It is characterized by production for use rather than profit, by equality of individual wealth, by the absence of competitive economic activity, and, usually,
by government determination of investment, prices, and production levels
2. any of various social or political theories or movements in which the common welfare is to be achieved through the establishment of a socialist economic system
3. (in Leninist theory) a transitional stage after the proletarian revolution in the development of a society from capitalism to communism: characterized by the distribution of income according to work rather than need
In a perfect world Socialism would be an ideal choice. But in reality, I’ll stick to the motto “if it seems to good to be true, chances are that it is not”.
Simply handing more power and control over to the very same corrupt government lacks any kind of common sense.
History has shown us time and time again what happens under socialist regimes. I do not have to go into detail to explain this. I will simply list some of the socialist governments, and you can draw your own conclusions of the “success” that socialism has brought the people under it.
Marxist–Leninist socialism:
Currently:
People’s Republic of China
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Former:
German Democratic Republic
Soviet Union
Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
Non-Marxist-Leninist:
Currently:
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Portuguese Republic
Former:
Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma
Republic of Bolivia
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
These are just a few examples and a must larger list can be found HERE
Can you honestly say that any of these countries have amassed great wealth and prosperity for their people? Or is it the direct opposite?
So if socialism is not the answer to the problems, what is?
In my opinion, returning the western nations to a true capitalist structure would be a great start. Separate the government from the corporations. Nationalize the federal reserve, and restore the bank of Canada.
Create laws and punishments, restricting government lobbying, and end the “revolving door” between politics and business. No more government bail outs, no more government subsidies in the banking industry (or any other).
In short. A true capitalist economic structure is the answer to the severe issue’s that we face. Not the problem.
How many people are you ctobnroafle with dying for the free market to work ~~ That depends what work these so-called dying people were doing or neglecting to do. As I stated previously, the biggest thing I have understood in the book so far is the entitlement of people. If people aren’t willing to work for anything, why should they continuously be given a free ride?There’s a difference between effort and failing and doing nothing and failing. I have much more sympathy for the people who try to change their lifestyle than the ones who think it’s not fair, do nothing, and expect somebody to help them.I’m not sure if I can answer your first question. How many people is anyone comfortable with dying for any system to work? We can look at other systems to see which one works most efficiently. How many oppressed people died during the reign of the Soviet Union and how many oppressed people are forced to do things against their will in China? Reality, how much government regulation are you comfortable with and how much regulation is too much? How many people are you comfortable with relying on government to run every aspect of their life? what is to stop the criminal from simply setting up shop under a new name and new scam? ~~ Is it really that easy? Take a small town for instance. If someone opens a business and cheats a few people, the rest of the town stops conducting business with this cheater. If this cheater opens a new business, the town knows it’s the same cheater under a different name and the new business will close.
We definitely need to put an end to Corporatism and corruption. But what you call “socialism” (which to me sounds more like “communism”) and pure capitalism are not the only two solutions. There is a way to implement so-called “socialist” policies, such as universal health care for example, without undermining democracy and freedom. Japan has one of the best health care systems in the world.
I think better democracy is part of the solution. Not just once every four years getting to choose between two very similar candidates, but holding referendums on specific policy proposals, and implementing proportional representation systems – in other words, a government that reflects the will of all people, not just the majority – will greatly increase personal and economic freedom.
Socialism would not be the ideal choice in a perfect world. In fact, no economic system would be ideal in a perfect world. I posit that a perfect world has two defining attributes. All people that populate it must behave virtuously; resources are infinite. However, if resources are indeed infinite, then an economic structure of any kind becomes obsolete because economics is the study of how a society deals with the dilemma of scarcity. Now that you’ve piqued my interest, I’m probably going to blog about this. Thanks for the inspiration Terry
jetkeepsitreal.blogspot.com
The “examples of Socialism are not Socialism,in Socialism the primary requirement is the producers are in charge of production and distribution and collect the benefit.The surplus is then used to fill the needs of society.The examples are given are just state run capitalists,China is the ultimate example.If the worker goes to work in a capitalist state,collects a wage and goes home we call it a Democracy,if a worker goes to work and collects a wage in a so called Socialist state we call it Socialism.It is not.the best example of true Socialism is the simple co-operative enterprise.A market does not negate a Socialist state .it is simply the method of distribution.
“Rules but no rulers.”
I can support the prescriptions of Thrive.
Is this the resources based economy as associated with the Venus Project? Because the Venus Project is thinly veiled communism. Just to say to be for a RBE is not to be against ‘ISM’s.
http://www.thrivemovement.com/
Great point with the “in a perfect world”. If our governments weren’t corrupt and power hungry, then socialism would definitely be the way to go. I don’t mind paying taxes if they are being used for programs that work and benefit the country as a whole. But our tax dollars right now are being used to jail youth criminals and pot smokers longer, and cutting the shit out of our budget. This government is corporatist and corrupt, there is no doubt about it.
I don’t believe that any of the “IZMs” will work. I’m all for a resource based economy. I believe it’s the only thing that’s going to save us and our planet. You have to remove the greed and power mongering factors. Period.
I think severing our ties with the crown is the best idea. In the world, the queen owns more land than anyone else. If all the countries owned by the crown were to sever their ties, we would see unbelievable change. If there is a ruling elite controlling it all, it stems from the Crown. <3
That sounds like real freedom to me and mine.