Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

I haven't heard a good old dictatorship mentioned. If a feudal lord treats his subjects right they can prosper and be protected under his military control.

Since I live in the US I see democracy in place along with capitalism. Foreigners flock here knowing if you work hard and make wise decisions you have the freedom to make a good life for yourself. Yes, there are greedy wealthy folks but they mostly got that wealth providing jobs for the masses. The exceptions are politicians and bankers. Hang them all.

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

I'd like to see something like decencyism or ethicalism - where we live and work by decency and ethics, where we care about each other, where we care about the planet - and the future generations who will inherit it.

I have nothing against people working their butts off to make money, but 1000% profit? Buying or building something for £4 and selling it for £40 - that's just disgusting. (Apparently that's how much iPod shuffles cost to manufacture!)

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

You asked for responses Antibrown so here is my twopenneth for what it is worth. Forgive the lengthy reply folks

Communism, Socialism, Capitalism
a) Which is right? -
I do not think any of the three are absolutely right or exclusively possible.

b) Communism is great in theory but is no good in practice as history has already proved.

Response
I do not think communism is a great idealistic theory - in its own way it is just as bad an ideal for as is out and out capitalism. Communism may work during and after periods of oppression resulting in revolution and major change (e.g. Russian Revolution) but long term it exerts too much control on individuals, removes freedoms and turns everyone into a “single shade of gray” People are not all the same and one size should not be made to fit all. We need differences to be valued and individual endeavour to be recognised \and rewarded.

I remember reading and analysing George Orwell’s Animal Farm as a child. This book made an impression on me. It is a truth which has stuck all my life. My dad (a lifelong Conservative) gave the book to me and it was the first thought provoking piece of literature I read. We must have opposition and challenge in our society and politics pendulum of power must not swing too far in one direction.

c) Socialism, sounds good when you have people who want to make things better for the 'People' but again as has history has shown by Blair/Brown Regime' it does not work.

Response
I do not think that history has shown that socialism does not work. I think that in the right situation and at the appropriate point in history socialism can work very well for the majority. I believe that social responsibilities - costs like health and education should be nationalised and paid for collectively with everyone contributing according to their ability. I also believe that a country’s native and mineral assets should be utilised as National wealth.
Socialism’s problem is that a level playing field does not pre-exist. Much of the wealth is and remains with a minority of the population as individuals or with large organisations. Much wealth has also been inherited. This is historical, having a basis in originally being taken or given over as rewards following successful conquests and subjugation of other nations - taking their wealth and potential.

Albert Einstein was a socialist. He wrote an essay “Why Socialism” in 1949. This essay is easily available by “googling”. Einstein was not a politician and neither am I, but he was a great humanitrian and having read this essay, I think I prefer to place Einstein’s opinions and values above many other so called “great” men.
I suppose I am primarily a socialist and this is a “gut” feeling - a sense about what is right and fair for the majority of the population. But I also believe in free enterprise, being independent and self-reliant - so maybe I am more accurately a left-wing conservative.

d) Capitalism, this is proving to be profitable for some but not for all. The main problem is Greed, which is in all of us to some extent.

Response
A definition of capitalism
"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, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth".
I don't think this system can be fair and just, given that power and wealth and resulting privilege will always be with a minority in a capitalist society and the majority have to sell their labour to the capitalist to survive. A capitalist society will always pay the minimum it can get away with - it will not share profits equitably, but will maximise profit and gains for the minority.
If we could all be successful capitalists then perhaps I would think differently.

Was Marx correct
“Capitalism's abject failure to provide the vast bulk of humanity with the material means for a dignified existence is not only due to the greed of individual billionaires or the failure of politicians.
If it were, changing society would be a far simpler question of reforming the excesses of capitalism and dealing with the bad apples. But inequality and poverty are part of the fundamental nature of capitalist society.”

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

- Come back 'Uncle Joe' - all is forgiven!!!

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

I think the truth is none of them work exclusively , you need a mixture of all of them

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

Communism could work if it was not for the leaders and greed of the people.

Socialism could never work as they dont know how to control spending.

Captialism could work if it was not for the people being jealous of those with more money.

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

AB is just another one on the 'Lumpen element' that Lenin and Marx warned us about.

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

No matter what the regime is. Greed and arrogance will always be the underlying motive hovering in the background.

"This is what we believe is best" soon equates into "This is how things WILL be done....or else"

Like the saying goes. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

Oh! dear, there was I thiking they were talking about thensleves and their followers.

Re: Communism, Socialism, Capitalism

I don't really care what any regime is called and I suspect a rational amalgam of all three might hit the spot.

Personally, I would just like to live once more in a society that does not view anyone that has paid their own way, lived well within their means and yes has a little savings left to supplement their pension, as a pariah.