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THIS IS
WHAT’S WRONG WITH CAPITALISM
It often strikes a socialist that so many of the criticisms of
socialism are indeed valid, but only when applied to capitalism. I’ve
heard it said, “socialism may sound fine in theory, but it wouldn’t
work out in practice.” One wonders exactly what is meant by “working
out in practice”. If it means failure to solve the major social
problems, then capitalism has worked wonders in practice, especially,
as it creates problems it cannot solve. “But”, they explain, “socialism
would create chaos.” By this, one assumes that war, depression, mass
unemployment, destruction of the environment, epidemics of preventable
diseases, famine and genocide, are not symptoms of a society in chaos.
Many equate socialism with dictatorship, yet, with the coming of the
modern industrial state, most of the world’s population has lived under
dictatorship. After World War II, more lived under it than before; but
it was fought, “to make the world safe for democracy.” Even today,
after the fall of the east European dictatorships, many countries have
some form of repressive government.
We are told that individual freedom will suffer in a socialist society;
yet how splendid it is to be free under capitalism. Free to be
unemployed, free to starve (which a lot of the world’s population are
doing.) Free to breathe polluted air.
“But socialism will bring regimentation and uniformity,” our critics
say. I often look at rows and rows of stereotyped apartment buildings
and notice the lack of uniformity. I’m sure many workers who have to
punch in and out, work on conveyor belts and fill in time sheets, would
never dream of calling life regimented under capitalism.
“But socialism will create corruption and sheer callousness”.
Isn’t capitalism such a highly moral society? One need only observe how
many civic dignitaries, corporations and individual capitalists have
been unable or unwilling to obey their own phoney laws which they hand
down to us (to keep us in line), with all the self-righteousness of a
God On High.
“In a socialist society with no financial inducements to work,
lots of people will be lazy.” What, however, is laziness except
lack of inspiration? Certainly there are many lazy folk around today.
How many capitalists work “too” hard?
“But,” they tell us, “socialism will stifle individual creativity and
initiative.” No economic system can prevent human ingenuity expressing
itself. Where the confusion stems from is that it is not clearly
understood that the economic character this takes is determined by the
system one lives under. Though no economic system can prevent human
creativity, capitalism has, to an extent, stifled it. In the cut-throat
world of competition many fail. Many have been unable to raise the
capital to even start and, many who have been successful, have later
gone bankrupt. It’s no wonder so many feel insecure. It would be a
wonder if they didn’t.
In a socialist society where the tools of production will be used,
first and foremost, to provide all with the necessities of life and
where all stand equal in relation to them, there will be nothing to
prevent full rein being given to human creativity. All will be free to
develop their personalities and various abilities to the fullest
possible facet, and all will contribute according to their various
skills and abilities. The premise of production will be based on
serving humankind and from this, people will get a satisfaction unknown
under capitalism.
It will reach a point where, as Oscar Wilde said, “A man will be known
for what he is, not for what he has.”
STEVE SHANNON
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