Socialism? Capitalism? What would you think of a socialist America?

Question

Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to social control. As an economic system, socialism is associated with state or collective ownership of the means of production. This control may be either direct — exercised through popular collectives such as workers' councils — or it may be indirect — exercised on behalf of the people by the state.

Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are mostly privately owned, and capital is invested in the production, distribution and other trade of goods and services, for profit in a competitive free market. These include factors of production such as land and other natural resources, labor and capital goods. In our current capitalist state, Big Business runs everything. Would life in America be better with socialism?

Moron disclaimer: Socialism not communism.

Answer 1

Personally, I believe in ethical capitalism. That said, some things should totally be socialized. I believe that everyone has the right to their own wealth and that work should come with rewards, and free commerce is a totally awesome thing. I don't think the government, no matter how efficient, can manage my economic affairs, nor the affairs of the person next to me.

However, I do pay taxes, and I think those taxes should be put to good use. I'm a big fan of welfare and food stamps. People should be able to survive. I think that drug rehabilitation centers, medical care, including basic psychological care, heat and water utilities, education, and social security are great, and should come from the money from taxes entirely, and be free to the people. I believe that medicine should not be a for-profit business, I agree with doctors being given wages, but I do not believe that hospitals should stand to gain. I don't like HMOs.

On the other hand, socialism has never really worked on any great scale. I don't think it can. It allows for corruption in ways that capitalism doesn't. Capitalism allows for checks and balances provided by competition. If you don't like one thing, you can CHOSE another, therefore quality is maintained.

I think a healthy balance between the two is what's called for.

Answer 2

The problem with a socialist economy is that it is designed under the presupposition that people are inherently good, therefore the wealth will be redistributed with the good of ALL the people in mind. In reality, human nature at its deepest root is selfish, so what you end up with is people who are making decisions on how the money is supposed to flow based on their own greedy, selfish reasons (much like the decisions made by politicians on Capitol Hill). Besides, the socialist system flies in the face of the freedom that this country was founded on. How can we be truly free if the government has the power to take away what we have worked so hard for? And who's to say that the redistributed wealth will go to those who are truly in need, like the elderly and the disabled? The current welfare system is supporting a lot of people who have decided to sit on their lazy @$$es all day and not work -- granted, not EVERYONE on welfare is like that, but a lot of people are, and I have to ask: What about these people? Will we continue to reward people who are able to work but choose not to?

Capitalism is not perfect, but it is also not the zero-sum game that some would lead us to believe. It's not true that in order for someone to make more money there must be a corresponding loss somewhere down the line by some less fortunate individual. New businesses and new ideas create new opportunities and more money changing hands, which leads to a more robust economy where EVERYONE benefits. Yes, some people benefit more than others, but that's the way it should be. Those that work harder, find better ways to do things, and come up with new products or services that people want should receive a greater reward for their efforts than those who simply show up for work every day and do the minimum amount of work required just to get by.

Answer 3

Socialism is a horrible idea and ignores the human condition. I'll give the best example I can:

Let's say there are 2 people in the community. Person A makes good decisions. They exercise, eat right, work hard, etc. Person B makes bad decisions. They don't exercise, east poorly, drink, smoke, etc. As a result, Person A is a healthy and productive member of society, and Person B is in poor health, misses work, and contributes little. Person B can not make as much income and has higher cost of living because of medical expenses.

Since Person B has much less wealth, as a result of his actions, therefore, Socialism would redistribute wealth from Person A to Person B. How can any human with a brain, conscience, or sense of justice think that this is a good idea? Person B is in their condition as a direct result of their choices and actions. It is an abomination to steal wealth from Person A to pay for Person B's mistakes.

Socialism punishes success, rewards failure, and is a form of oppression. Capitalism rewards success, and failures get what they deserve.

Moron disclaimer: this does not mean that I endorse letting people die in the street. If you have the ability to help your fellow man, and don't, that makes you a horrible and despicable person. Helping your fellow man must be a choice you make out of love, not forced upon you at gun-point by the government.

Answer 4

socialism and capitalism are not mutually exclusive. Most americans consider themselves to be capitalists. But truth be told, they are glad when they call a fire truck and the firemen immediately start putting out the fire, instead of asking the the home owner, "Will this be cash or charge?"

Americans cheer capitalism. But go into any community in the US and change a highway into a toll roll and see who is cheering.

We hate welfare, but we love homestead exemptions.
The thought of socialized medicine scares us, but we dont want the police to send us a bill when they render services.

The bottom line is, we want out capitalism cake and our socialistic icing too.

America wouldnt survive as a socialist nation, but it couldnt survive without socialism either.

Answer 5

The incentive for extra hard work in a socialist state is what????

Quite frankly, when you take human nature into account, socialism can never work as a viable means of governmnet or economic policy.

Redistribution of wealth not only stinks, it is wrong. It is up to the individual to decide his charitable contributions, not the state.

A socialist platform whould turn our nation into a lazy, crutch seeking, under-producing, has-been country.

Now granted, PURE capitalism is also not a great way of having things. There has to be a series of checks and balances, but at least capitalism affords the freedom to succeed by one's own merits.

Answer 6

Communism is a political system that enforces Socialism, so despite your disclaimer, there's no significant difference.

The basis of Socialism is the "labor theory of value". That means that the value of anything is the sum total of the labor that went into producing the product.

Therein lies the inherent flaw of Socialism which ultimately dooms any attempt to make it work. Under the labor theory of value, two watches that come off of the same assembly line have the same value, despite the fact that one works and the other does not.

Only force can make socialism appear to work, and that is the difference between socialism and communism.

Answer 7

I think this question is too profound for people who have been raised to believe that money is god and that socialism is to be equated with everything they believe to be evil.
I see by some of the answers already posted that they continue to parrot the same stale misconceptions. In a socialist state, you are working for the benefit of yourself and your society, not some rich folks you'll never see or speak to.
I am a socialist, by the way and I think it's the only way to achieve social justice in the world.
Cooperation accomplished much more than competition. (Is that relevant?)
Socialism does not encourage the corruption capitalism does because in socialism, people's highest value is not money and profit, it's making sure everyone's needs are met fairly and equitably.

Answer 8

We already have a vision of what a socialized version of America would be - Europe.

Europe is destroying itself through socialist policies, heavy regulations and the nanny state.

Anything good left in Europe will be destroyed by Islamic immigration as Islam is antithetical to Western values.

The natural order of things is capitalism but power hungry liberals have to ruin everything with manage economies.

Answer 9

I think that so many Americans are hard core capitalists that if the country were to go socialist that there would be a thriving underground black market.

Answer 10

Capitalism is the best system in the world. Who has better a better economy than the US? No one.
We already have too much socialism in the US. Welfare; Social Security; forced retirements and pensions; through taxes the federal government takes from the haves, keeps some for the bureaucrats, and gives some to the have-nots aka redistribution of wealth; Medicare; Medicaid; HUD. There are many more examples of socialism in the US and in state governments.