Openmind
Well-Known Member
I believe the stated goal of Marxists is to have a society in which everyone shares equally, with no rich or poor but everyone working for the good of society.
and unicorns frolicking, no doubt.
Socialists believe in an economic system in which the people, i.e., the government, owns the means of production.
It is the stated goal of capitalists to use money to make more money, which would make Michael a capitalist.
Unless, of course, he has given all of his wealth away to the poor in order to have a more egalitarian society.
Okay, I don't disagree to this point.
But you seem to have left out a HUGE section of political ideology. . .one that is extremely wide spread and has been for over a century. . .and that is SOCIAL DEMOCRACY or Democratic Socialism, which really is a half way road between run away Capitalism and Socialism. It is a system(s) in which there is a strong component of welfare state (in the sense of a safety net and labor laws that assure that even the poor and the lower middle class have full access to the advantages provided by "controlled" Capitalism, and Capitalism that is regulated in order to SERVE the well being of most in society. It is a "combination" ideology that promotes the well being of every citizens, but also promotes the cooperation of private enterprise (Capitalism) with government ventures to assure that the needs of the population (infrastructure AND social safety net) are met.
I really like the visual image provided by one web site about this ideology that has flourished in Europe for over half a century:
Libertarian Capitalism vs Social Democracy - A metaphor
September 06, 2011, 03:04:52 PM
#1
Libertarian Capitalists believes that if you do not govern, if you leave to chaos - then the emergent outcome will be better than meddling; out will come greatest productivity from less government intervention.
And in a sense they are right. Competition leads to the aggressive seeking out of all niches. In a narrow sense, there is greater economic activity. And this is what it looks like:
Social Democrats advocate a mixed economy where the state is prepared to invest time and effort into planning for the future. And this is what happens when you plan and maintain:
Remember, there may be more Biomass raised by leaving entirely to nature (Biomass analogous to wealth measured by GDP) than the forced unnatural occurrence of a field of potatoes. But the latter will feed more people.
http://a-new-red-dawn.blogspot.com/2010/11/this-is-what-libertarian-capitalism.html
Too many people, of course, confuse it with "socialism," or even "communism." Yet, it certainly doesn't fall under any of the description you provided, and IT IS the overwhelming ideology in Europe.
Maybe it might behoove all of you to put aside your pre-conceived ideas of "Europe as a socialist/communist state" and look at what the European community is trying to established. . .in spite of the economic problems that are always present when one tries to merge wealthy, developed countries (like France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany) with poor, heavily subsided states (like Greece, Spain, Portugal).
I'm pretty sure this will NOT attract the interest of many people here. . .but all I can do is present it, and then it's up to you to stick with your pre-conceived ideas spread by propaganda (like "Euro-trash" and "patriot fries," remarks) and reality.