occupied
Diamond Member
- Nov 8, 2011
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Wealthy people and socialism are not incompatible, you just can't get rich in exploitative ways that do not serve the greater good. Become a rich doctor because you do the best boob jobs? Absolutely. Become a rich banker because you gouge people on loans? Never.You miss one important point. But it is the main point that is missing from any socialist or communist system. Why would I take the risk of inventing something and take it to market if I don't get to own it? If the government is going to become my partner in anything I do and take their deemed "fair share" why would I bother? I could do just as well by taking your government job at the same amount of pay I would get anyway and not have to deal with so much government bullshit and assholes along the way.I've started this thread to explore the different paths and obstacles that might appear while switching to socialism. But before engaging into any discussion it is necesary to establish a working definition.
"Socialism is a social and economic system characterised by social ownership of the means of production and co-operative management of the economy."
Here it is important to distinguish "social ownership" and "state ownership". While it can be argued that when the state owns a company it does so having in mind the best interest of the society, it is often the case that the company is used to advance the agenda of a group of people holding office. Certain mechanisms must be in place in order to ensure true social ownership is ensured , like transparency and democracy. In any case, when the state has the control of several companies, we might be facing a scenario of state capitalism and not of socialism.
From my viewpoint cooperatives are the closest form of social ownership to date.
Can you think of any other ways to achieve social ownership?
What would be the drawbacks of having a large number of companies organized in such a fashion?
Do you think such arrangement is compatible with the free market ?
Share your thoughts.
The drawback is you lose as a society any innovation. Socialism and communism arrive at the same conclusion as they have in the past and why they always fail. When you can't gain for yourself you don't stick your neck out. Every citizen simply pulls back into the government fold as they are taught to do and shut up to get by. Socialism and communism are the death of innovation and advancement. As a matter of fact it retards what gains were already achieved. Your latest test subject is Valenzuela and these people stand in lines forever to maybe get the government reward of a roll of fucking toilet paper. That's socialism and communism. The only people that don't suffer under that system are the rulers. They get to live like kings, at your expense.