What does this quote mean?

Question

"Capitalism is the Mona Lisa, Socialism is the nail that holds it up. Without Capitalism all you have is an ugly nail in the wall. Without socialism you are left with only a broken work of art on the floor." what does the quote mean? How valid is it?

Answer 1

It means you need both. If you allow capitalism to progress without any restraints whatsoever, you end up with businesses that control the economy and are more powerful than the Government, which can lead to all kinds of problems that our country has already dealt with (long hours, child labor, unsafe working conditions, inhumane treatment of "the little guy," monopolies, etc.) However, if you switch to a system that is entirely socialist, the Government controls all aspects of business. In that situation, the workers only do the minimum required to get by because there's no reward for working harder or coming up with better ways to do things. We already saw how well that worked in the former Soviet Union -- their collapse was economic, not political. So the best system is one that is based on capitalism where the Government gets involved on issues that affect everyone.

Answer 2

This quote, first of all, is the opinion of the author. I like the quote but I do not like the idea. Basically what the author is saying is that capitalism and socialism have to work together in order to work properly. Capitalism, however, should take the larger role in society, whereas socialism should be the supporting structure of a capitalist society.

Personally, I am against capitalism because:
1. Wherever there is buying and selling there is sin.
2. It can never be regulated because the people who are supposed to regulate it are the ones who make the most money from it.

I am also against socialism:
1. Because everyone wants to tell ME what to do.
2. Because I don't want to associate my self with any group that wants to order itself to do certain things.
3. Because there will always be those who are appointed to rule the socialist society - which negates the socialism entirely.

I believe in a Republic because it is based on supreme law (America is not one anymore). If I could form my own government it would look like this:
1. there would be a constitution that could NEVER be changed - A set of rules (like the Ten Commandments) that everyone must follow.
2. There would be two branches of government (like current US) Executive - Judicial - But I would have No legislature because the law would be based SOLELY on the Constitution that could not be changed.
3. The executive branch would be a council of 12 elected members (elections every 8 years) not just one prsident like we have today,
4. The Judicial would be made up of 12 elected members (elections every 8 years) neither of which could make new laws, but interpret the application of the existing constitution.

But no one will ever listen to me so who cares.

Answer 3

In the Oxford Dictionary of Current English, Third Edition, Capitalism is defined as:"An economic & political system in which a country's trade & industry are controlled by private owners for profit." Socialism is defined as:"A political & economic theory which holds that a country's land, transport, natural resources & chief industries should be owned or controlled by the community as a whole." As you see, simply put, a theory (ie: Socialism as "the nail") is only the support of the main picture (ie:Capitalism). I agree with the quote because in capitalism, the private owners have the control of ownership. In socialism, everyone in a community "gets a piece" of the ownership. If it were something you wanted to own, based on that, which one would you want: the nail only (socialism), the picture only (capitalism), or both of them together?

Answer 4

It means better together than apart. Consolidation of power doesn't work for the greater good whether it happens in government (socialism) or business (capitalism). In either case, the power is shared by a few people that will usually make decisions mainly for their own benefit without concern of the benefit of others. Such consolidation of power is what usually ends up killing a society.

I disagree with the quote. I'd replace "Socialism" with "Constitutional Republic". Where socialism is practiced in our society you'll usually find myriad problems that could be dealt with much better with the free market. Government works best when rienforcing the foundation of free enterprise and protecting the citizenry from external threats. BTW - the foundation of free enterprise is - individual liberty and property rights.

Answer 5

The quote is from André Malraux (French novelist, adventurer, art historian, and statesman, minister for cultural affairs for 11 years in 1958-1969).

Nobody but Malraux could tell you exactly what it meant, but here's a guess: "socialism - having the government provide a minimal standard of common good - maintains the social cohesion we need so that the great material gains produced by capitalism can take place."

But that's just my take on what he meant. (He was a lot smarter when he said it than I am now (or will ever be), so I probably didn't understand it as well as I should.)

Answer 6

If a society is made up of only people who want to make money for themselves without regard to the social needs around them, they will soon find the results are not satisfying. I am a Social Capitalist which means I believe the social ills of our world are incredible capitalistic opportunities to both cure the problem and make money doing it.

Answer 7

Typical nonsense from the French. Capitalism is free enterprize, socialism is not. Free enterprize does just fine without socialism, on the otherhand socialism is a parasite of the free market and will wither and die without it.

Answer 8

It means there are will always be people who believe that government is a great beautiful thing.

And NO, it is not valid.

Capitalism is liberty.
Socialism is government enforced slavery.

“Few men desire liberty. The majority are satisfied with a just master.”
-Gaius Sallustius Crispus

Let the thumbs down fly. I unapologetically stand by my beliefs.

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