I’m not buying your strawman argument. I don’t appreciate your mischaracterizations. What I said was that many people are selfish and act in their own interest. However, I believe most people are inherently good and are often victims of their environment. That’s why I support socialism - it is a system that aims to address the root causes of inequality and promote the common good.
Does it exist in the world today? If so, then I do know what it is. Is it a political philosophy that exists largely in books because most holistic attempts to implement it results in authoritarianism and institutional dysfunction? If so, then I know about that too. (Yes, and the ones the US toppled to maintain its interests, obvs. Are you suggesting those are the only “real” socialist countries?)
I understand that you think socialism is fundamentally flawed, I can tell from your tone. I am attempting to engage you politely despite your previous mischaracterizations of what I have said.
I would like to present some counterexamples. Countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have implemented socialist policies such as universal healthcare, free education, and a strong social safety net, and they’ve seen significant economic growth and social progress as a result.
In addition, the cooperative movement in countries like Spain and Italy has shown that worker-owned cooperatives can be highly successful and provide better working conditions and benefits for employees. And let’s not forget about the Nordic model of socialism, which combines elements of market economics with strong social welfare policies to create a more equitable society.
But even within my own country (US), we’ve seen that periods of prosperity have often coincided with the implementation of social safety nets like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP. These programs have helped to reduce poverty and inequality, and they’ve also contributed to economic growth by putting money in people’s pockets and stimulating demand.
Furthermore, many of the worker protections we take for granted today were implemented after the Great Depression, as a response to the failures of laissez-faire capitalism and the exploitation of workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and other key laws that safeguard workers’ rights were all enacted during this period.
It seems to me that socialism is not inherently flawed but rather it has been distorted or watered down in some cases, or implemented in ways that don’t prioritize the needs of working-class people.
Shouldn’t that be “we’re doomed any way”? Or are there just two options?
Laws can help though, one step at a time. Socialism isn’t throwing the old system away entirely
Totally agree, which is why I recommend using the Democratic party to implement more (and more) socialist policies. But I’m constantly told by “lefties” (of which, I assume some significant part consider themselves socialist) that Democrats are worse than Hitler and the only option is to just let republiQans win. Which, y’know, they did. And now it’s all this.
So you admit socialism is an ideal that can never be realized?
I’m not buying your strawman argument. I don’t appreciate your mischaracterizations. What I said was that many people are selfish and act in their own interest. However, I believe most people are inherently good and are often victims of their environment. That’s why I support socialism - it is a system that aims to address the root causes of inequality and promote the common good.
Bro you have no idea what the term “socialism” even means. Get fucking educated
calm down
political topics really rile people up
Does it exist in the world today? If so, then I do know what it is. Is it a political philosophy that exists largely in books because most holistic attempts to implement it results in authoritarianism and institutional dysfunction? If so, then I know about that too. (Yes, and the ones the US toppled to maintain its interests, obvs. Are you suggesting those are the only “real” socialist countries?)
Maybe your fucking education was shit.
I understand that you think socialism is fundamentally flawed, I can tell from your tone. I am attempting to engage you politely despite your previous mischaracterizations of what I have said.
I would like to present some counterexamples. Countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have implemented socialist policies such as universal healthcare, free education, and a strong social safety net, and they’ve seen significant economic growth and social progress as a result.
In addition, the cooperative movement in countries like Spain and Italy has shown that worker-owned cooperatives can be highly successful and provide better working conditions and benefits for employees. And let’s not forget about the Nordic model of socialism, which combines elements of market economics with strong social welfare policies to create a more equitable society.
But even within my own country (US), we’ve seen that periods of prosperity have often coincided with the implementation of social safety nets like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP. These programs have helped to reduce poverty and inequality, and they’ve also contributed to economic growth by putting money in people’s pockets and stimulating demand.
Furthermore, many of the worker protections we take for granted today were implemented after the Great Depression, as a response to the failures of laissez-faire capitalism and the exploitation of workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and other key laws that safeguard workers’ rights were all enacted during this period.
It seems to me that socialism is not inherently flawed but rather it has been distorted or watered down in some cases, or implemented in ways that don’t prioritize the needs of working-class people.
A society where everyone is responsible isn’t doable. People are assholes, we’re doomed either way
Laws can help though, one step at a time
Shouldn’t that be “we’re doomed any way”? Or are there just two options?
Totally agree, which is why I recommend using the Democratic party to implement more (and more) socialist policies. But I’m constantly told by “lefties” (of which, I assume some significant part consider themselves socialist) that Democrats are worse than Hitler and the only option is to just let republiQans win. Which, y’know, they did. And now it’s all this.
with socialism or without it, but yea should have said that
who the fuck says that? The political system is broken in the USA anyways. Only 2 sides.
“The United States effectively has a one-party system, the business party, with two factions, Republicans and Democrats.” -Noam Chomsky
Sadly true