P
purple
Guest
There is much discussion about whether socialism of capitalism is the best model for government.
What I'm not clear on is if people are referring to a model for framing social policy or a model for framing all policy.
I would regard free market capitalism as the best model for running the economy, therefore I would regard myself as a capitalist. That's as far as the philosophy encroaches into my views on the world and how it should be run, and that's where I start having a problem with socialism; for me socialism is closer to a religion than an economic model.
Socialist thinking pervades all aspects of life both economic and, well, social. When I read books on socialist thinking I was struck by how often I was told what to think, what is right and what is wrong (I am on dodgy ground here as it is years since i read this stuff and while I remember the broad strokes I can't quote author or title).
If I defined myself as a socialist I would be constrained in how I could view the world and still fit the bill as a socialist. A capitalist is a much more pragmatic creature and can support or oppose strikes,union action, privatisation or government policy on a case by case basis without the fear o being kicked out of the brotherhood.
that's just my take on it, I would be interested to hear from some of those who describe themselves as socialists to say what they actually mean by that.
What I'm not clear on is if people are referring to a model for framing social policy or a model for framing all policy.
I would regard free market capitalism as the best model for running the economy, therefore I would regard myself as a capitalist. That's as far as the philosophy encroaches into my views on the world and how it should be run, and that's where I start having a problem with socialism; for me socialism is closer to a religion than an economic model.
Socialist thinking pervades all aspects of life both economic and, well, social. When I read books on socialist thinking I was struck by how often I was told what to think, what is right and what is wrong (I am on dodgy ground here as it is years since i read this stuff and while I remember the broad strokes I can't quote author or title).
If I defined myself as a socialist I would be constrained in how I could view the world and still fit the bill as a socialist. A capitalist is a much more pragmatic creature and can support or oppose strikes,union action, privatisation or government policy on a case by case basis without the fear o being kicked out of the brotherhood.
that's just my take on it, I would be interested to hear from some of those who describe themselves as socialists to say what they actually mean by that.