4 ms·
> a. that's corruption, not capitalism This is the same logic used by people who argue "That's corruption, not socialism." If everywhere there is capitalism, t
by aggie 8y ago
> a. that's corruption, not capitalism
This is the same logic used by people who argue "That's corruption, not socialism." If everywhere there is capitalism, there is corruption, you can't simply wave it away.
Edit: I originally asked "How is this argument different from 'that's corruption, not socialism'", which some seemed to interpret as a defense of socialism. I'm just pointing out the flawed logic in both arguments.
- baddox 8y ago> How is this any different from people who argue "That's corruption, not socialism"? It’s not at all different. In fact, state socialism and state capitalism are extremely similar systems.
- hayd 8y agoThe lack of forced labor camps or worse, the existence of a free press which can expose corruption, mean these systems are not extremely similar...
- srean 8y agoWhere may I find this 'free press' that you mention ?
- billbrown 8y agoIf by "state capitalism" you mean the New Deal, Mussolini's fascism, or postwar UK then I'd agree with you entirely.
- maym86 8y agoThis. People supporting capitalism alway seem to argue that any abuses of power and corruption are exceptions. The system is built on competition so without strong regulation it seems inevitable that people will take shortcuts to win.
- knubie 8y agoIt isn't, really. Socialism just seems to be far more susceptible corruption than capitalism does, if historical data is anything to go by.
- billbrown 8y agoWhat we have today throughout the world is a mixed economy: a blend of intervention and freedom. You're exactly right that laissez-faire has never been fully tried: we've come close at various points and various places. There have been industries that were free of corruption and meddling even though the larger society was rife with corruption. I'm thinking of the Scottish banking system in the late eighteenth century because it was completely unregulated. Its example showed what laissez-faire might look like in that sector. Silicon Valley in the 80s, 90s, and 00s was similarly left alone. We all saw how it flourished and almost entirely stayed out of politics. The American constitutional system provides an excellent approach to limiting corruption through checks and balances and enumeration of powers. It has plenty of loopholes and those have been exploited from inception on.
- CM30 8y agoYou're right, it's not any different. But that's the unfortunate consequence of these systems being built for a perfect world filled with entirely rational beings that only do what's in the interest of the common good. Everything from economics systems like Capitalism and Communism to political ones like Democracy have this very same issue; they work fine in theory then completely collapse in the real world due to human selfishness and irrationality. But I'm not sure what the answer is that problem.