Is socialism (NOT communism!) better than capitalism?

[msc545]

Socialism and capitalism are two different economic systems. Socialism is an economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the public, either directly or through state control. Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and controlled by individuals or businesses.

There are several advantages of socialism over capitalism -

More equal distribution of wealth. In a socialist economy, the government plays a role in redistributing wealth, which can lead to a more equal society. In a capitalist economy, there is a greater gap between the rich and the poor.

Reduced poverty. Socialism can help to reduce poverty by providing social safety nets, such as unemployment benefits, healthcare, and education. In a capitalist economy, there is no guarantee that everyone will have access to these basic necessities.

More stable economy. Socialism can help to stabilize the economy by reducing booms and busts. In a capitalist economy, the economy is more volatile, with periods of rapid growth followed by periods of recession.

More environmental protection. Socialism can help to protect the environment by planning production and consumption in a more sustainable way. In a capitalist economy, the focus is on economic growth, which can lead to environmental damage.

[Anonymous]

Capitalism is out of control in this country. Just about every problem the world is facing now has been directly or indirectly caused by capitalism. Unsustainable appitite for cheap resources, greed for bigger profits, emigration of cheap labor to the USA to hold down labor costs for bigger profits. Even the God Damn China problem was created indectly by capitalism. The chicken shit profit monger companies like Walmart need cheap Chinese goods for more profit. I hope the Chinese name one of their new warships " The Walmart" . Capitalism help create the Chinese " Frankenstein Monster" that might kick the USA's ass. The people from Latin America are waiting at the border because they know if get over the border a cheap money hungry capitalist US company will hire them for a lower wage. The gobal warming/ climate problem is a indirect result of capitalism. The fucked up unfair income tax situation in this country was caused by capitalism. The gap between the haves and have nots where less than 5% of the population owns 90% of the wealth another result of capitalism. Now the AI problem coming up, how many jobs are going to be los t for more profit and the fact another Frankenstein might result that might do in humanity. Even the top capitalist Musk cautions this. Yes capitalism is a good motherfucker.

[NaultD]

We've always been in a mixed economy. It would be insane haggling with firefighters to save grandma. At the same time if grandma get in a car crash she should be able to figure out her doctor and recovery plan like a fucking grocery store visit with her brain bleeding. That's insanity.

Also healthcare isn't an isolated problem. It can financially bankrupt your neighborhood creating lower property values devaluing your own home investment. People being sick will spread to you and family from colds, potentially dangerous contagious, to epidemics. So we should invest everyone staying healthy.

Private business only profits when i die. Taxes only profits keeping me alive.

[lightbulb27]

If a person agrees with that, they have socialist countries they can move to in which to be immediately satisfied. France, Venezuela to name a few.

There are some benefits but the drawbacks seem to send the successful and intelligent people... packing their bags, to make it into the presumed capitalistic country (e. g. usa) for they see their chances of attainment of better life are more possible.

I've seen this in my own extended family and friends that come from France recently to get here, USA. Most people in the world want to come to USA.

I dont' know anyone that wants to move to Venezuela, albeit, when they stabilize and are more capitalistic, I think we should all move there and buy land... assuming there are protections for our assets and we won't' be robbed by the government.

The problem with socialism is it demotivates production and creativity. The rules as well get screwy. I saw this in France where nearly every house has a huge metal gate around it. Why you ask? Because if some vagrant gets in there it is very hard to get them out. Whether that's socialism or just the laws, I don't know, but USA is heading that direction... loss of property rights, right to defend your life liberty or property is in threat..."defund the police", backed up court dockets, squatters, etc..

The problem with capitalism is crony capitalism where the rich are bailed out since they make the laws. We destroyed this over time with corruption.

Capitalism seemed to work well at times, like 1950's to 1970's.

I'm not even sure what USA has is capitalism... and China isn't so communist, it's capitalist with central control.

All of this stuff is a circle that flows and changes...

So now... inUSA... we may need socialism around health care... why... the govt corrupted the hell out of it such that so many can't afford it. That's no good. And we used to have charity and church engaged, they are not even allowed in to many areas, it's difficult to do "Christian Counseling" in a prison (e. g. a mental health area) for example for the "solution" is "pills"... which oddly, is a money maker. Money is our "god"... is the problem of capitalism. God was thrown out to make room for science... which is heartless. Where the heart is required, need "God". Science does a lot of things right, but humans corrupt that too.

Just like education to some extent. The other solution is throw the govt out and as much as possible, let competition reign. Got a problem... go to a Chinese doctor or naturopath covered under health care... go for low cost solutions first. The whole thing is a corrupt govt system to some extent.

A brief brain dump...

[jjj101010]

Like any system, people will opt for the system that favours them more. I favour a system that encourages people to work for what they get and not one that rewards those who don’t. However, I believe the sign of a civilised society is one that looks after those who can’t look after themselves, this includes the disabled, the elderly and children. I think there is a misconception that with socialism that u don’t get rewarded for working hard, u still keep the majority of what u earn, but pay a greater level of tax than u would under a capitalist system. So if u earn millions or even hundreds of thousands, u r still wealthier than the majority of people.

I believe that healthcare is a right not a privilege. For those who do not like the idea of socialised health care, specifically in the USA, u already have number of socialist systems running, including socialised education, police, fire service, military and coast guard. The police don’t invoice u for investigating a burglary at ur house.

I think there is a balance to find between both systems.

[msc545]

well said!

[DryGermanGuy]

I don't get that American strict black-and-white thinking. Why not combine and compromise with different ideas? Germany (and most other EU countries) does so and is very successful through it. The first universal public healthcare system was introduced by Otto von Bismarck, a draconian right-wing politician.

[EpicSnail]

As someone who lives in a social democracy, there are downsides. Power still gets consolidated in socialist economies, its just that it isn't merit-based, it's based on the law of the jungle and it's not what you know but who you know.

Another thing is you get a huge sclerotic public sector that acts like a leech on workers. You might get a nanny state which infantilizes and neglects the most vulnerable people in society. But because people rely on the state for everything, when the state betrays the poor, their fellow citizens don't pick them up. Because that is the state's job.

Finally, increasing the minimum wage ironically acts as a barrier to entry to the job market, and means most companies will automate everything they can and hire the absolute minimum number of workers, which creates a culture of individualism and loneliness. Again, with higher minimum wages, who you know becomes important, because there isn't an abundance of jobs, and hiring someone is expensive.

[Anonymous]

Depends on your point of view. Socialism benefits a greater number of people by distributing resources more equally, whereas capitalism mainly benefits the upper class. However, it does limit innovation to an extent and doesn’t put a premium on hard work. Most economies are mixed systems and not entirely socialist or capitalist. The trick is finding the right balance.

[lottiebannotie]

Socialism is better in principle but unfortunately the people who actually run the system are just as greedy as capitalists so it rarely works last so called socialist government we had was the war criminal Tony Blair spouts socialism does the opposite we call them champagne socialists

[slatyb]

No, but the social democracies of Europe are in many ways working better than the US -- they have greater life expectancies, lower birth mortality, and generally do better in measures of social well-being.

[exitseven]

No. In socialism there is no incentive for anyone to work hard because they will not directly benefit from it. I worked for the state smfor many years. There were no raises given on merit, everyone got the same. Everyone did a little bit less than the bare minimum. In capitalism a person owns a small business and everyone efforts are directly tied to how much money you make. It is not a perfect system but with socialism there is only one direction the economy will go. Down the drain.

[jshm2]

To be honest. There have never been absolute implementations of either.

No country is absolutely capitalist, communist or socialist. It is always a mixture of the three and more.

[inhua]

socialism or the equality of outcome requires government intervention to enforce and the more it has to be enforced, the more tyrannical the government needs to be

[msc545]

How does this have anything to do with socialism?

[inhua]

socialism can't be guaranteed unless the government gets involved. the less government intervention the better.

[msc545]

Capitalism also cannot be enforced unless the government is involved.

[inhua]

not quite. capitalism is called the free market for a reason. people can literally choose whatever they want to buy. that being said, it's not entirely flawless as there's a possibility someone can work very hard to try to create a good product only for nobody to buy it yet someone who puts in no effort can sell for billions.

[msc545]

In theory yes. I practice, no - we have a LOT of fraud as a result of market activities. With socialism, hopefully, there is less fraud, but I am told that really isn't so. The main benefit of socialism is that it reduces income inequality. Income inequality is very dangerous as it tends to foment violent revolutions.

[inhua]

socialism wouldn't eliminate fraud. this would mean someone who works hard to create a good product will be rewarded the same as someone who doesn't work hard and creates a shit product. it might even encourage more fraud.

unless every single one of us is born equal there can never be true equality. some people are taller than others, stronger than others, smarter than others, more skilled than others etc. for example LeBron James gets paid more than the 15th dude on the Lakers bench. neither are equals

but I do understand where you're coming from. inequalities can lead to revolutions but it only means the top gets displaced and someone else is on top instead. that's how it's been throughout history. slaves didn't remain slaves forever. one day they fought back and disposed the current king and the cycle continues.

I think there just needs to be a more concerted effort to tell the cold harsh truth and not feed people false hope. Joseph Merrick did die a virgin. no amount of money or fame was gonna get him laid or have kids while Jeremy Meeks impregnates a billionaire's daughter. in the dating market there's definitely an effort to apply socialism for women and capitalism only for men.

[msc545]

Your last sentence is very much correct! The rest, I need to think more about. Thanks!

[NathanDavis]

sustainability would be better than all above...

[Anonymous]

Which socialism? There are multiple flavours of socialism. Sadam Hussain was a socialist for instance. Staying was a socialist. Hitler was a socialist. Do you mean democratic socialism or socialist democracy?

[gorydetails]

Lol, the only people who like socialism are people who aren’t successful. Venezuela is a prime example of how every benefit you claim about socialism is utter bullshit in reality

[Pterodon]

Fuck no. Ask Venezuela how it’s working