What Makes Socialism??

Kazuya · #1 04-18-2007, 07:47 PM

First off, I am a big believer in democracy and the idea that people can become independently wealthy... but I just found out my girlfriend is a socialist. This came as a surprise to me, but whatever. We had a talk about politics and basically she thinks no one should be that much richer then anyone else, where as i disagree and think capitalism supports work ethics and for the most part those who deserve, receive.

My question is what makes up Socialism? All i know about it is it's basically a "softer" communism. Can someone educate me on what Socialism exactly is? and the differences between that and communism? Anyways me and my girlfriend had a long discussion, and I'm sure will have another, but this time i would like to be more educated on Socialism so i can stick it to her.

Borodog · #2 04-18-2007, 07:56 PM

Socialism is the absence of private ownership of the factors of production. Communism is simply complete socialism.

PLOlover · #3 04-18-2007, 08:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
My question is what makes up Socialism? All i know about it is it's basically a "softer" communism. Can someone educate me on what Socialism exactly is?

[/ QUOTE ]

The US today is a "softer" socialist country. google ten planks of the communist manifesto and see how many of them the US has adopted.

Kazuya · #4 04-18-2007, 08:04 PM

ok i knew that part, i guess a better question is. i am a Capitalist at heart, i know that for me personally capitalism suits who I am better. A better question is why is capitalism>socialism?

AlexM · #5 04-18-2007, 08:06 PM

Different people use these words very differently, but I believe the basic difference according to most is that socialism is an economic system while communism is an authoritarian political system. So socialism = capitalism and communism = democracy or monarchy. Many would say that socialism requires an authoritarian political system to implement, but that system is not an inherent part of socialism.

AlexM · #6 04-18-2007, 08:12 PM

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A better question is why is capitalism>socialism?

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1. Freedom is cool.

2. Socialism produces more for the poor now while capitalism produces more for everyone in the future. Over time, capitalism will make more people less poor, while socialism will tend to stagnate, but it can be tough to think about the poor who will be alive 200 years from now when you've got poor from the here and now to deal with.

3. Freedom is cool.

Dan. · #7 04-18-2007, 08:12 PM

www.wikipedia.org you can read overviews of lots of the questions you're asking, and it will likely even direct you to further reading.

Dan. · #8 04-18-2007, 08:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
A better question is why is capitalism>socialism?

[/ QUOTE ]

1. Freedom is cool.

2. Socialism produces more for the poor now while capitalism produces more for everyone in the future. Over time, capitalism will make more people less poor, while socialism will tend to stagnate, but it can be tough to think about the poor who will be alive 200 years from now when you've got poor from the here and now to deal with.

3. Freedom is cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Slave wages vs. death. Excellent decision. If that's freedom...then I don't know what to think about anything...

AlexM · #9 04-18-2007, 08:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
A better question is why is capitalism>socialism?

[/ QUOTE ]

1. Freedom is cool.

2. Socialism produces more for the poor now while capitalism produces more for everyone in the future. Over time, capitalism will make more people less poor, while socialism will tend to stagnate, but it can be tough to think about the poor who will be alive 200 years from now when you've got poor from the here and now to deal with.

3. Freedom is cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Slave wages vs. death. Excellent decision. If that's freedom...then I don't know what to think about anything...

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right, socialism isn't freedom.

PLOlover · #10 04-18-2007, 08:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
A better question is why is capitalism>socialism?

[/ QUOTE ]
Like a lot of things it's a choice that is made and there's a tradeoff.
I mean, a lot of people buy insurance and they love it. As poker players we should realize the -ev of insurance, or the house advantage, but other people don't look at it that way and buy all the insurance they can.