Why does America hate Socialism?
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*looks around* .....
b/c of the massive & global success of capitalism.....
*dips out*
Successful for who though? It sure as hell isn't successful for workers. Under capitalism there is often little choice in the type of work avaliable, and the work itself is mostly boring, alienating, montonous, and exhausting. We are are essentially wage slaves.
Under Socialism work would revert to being an activity of the individual's own choosing and an act of creativity, and personal development. Far Freer and successful than Wage labour. -
You will be hard pressed to find a primarily socialist system that is better off than even the poorest state in the US. The US and many other countries embrace a number of socialistic policies but the economy is based on free trade and private ownership. Even China has begun moving rather rapidly towards a market economy with strong capitalistic principles. Up until the reforms of the 1980's, China provided 'lifelong' employment to individuals employed in state owned organizations. After the reforms in the 80's and later the in the '90s with China's acceptance into the WTO, China changed the lifelong employment into 5-10 year contracts. China's desire to be a major player in the world markets has caused for it to open up their economy to many private corporations who have advanced capitalistic principles in China. Beyond that, China has found providing employment for 1 billion people unsustainable. As a result, unemployment in urban areas is exceptionally high and in many rural areas, the government is barely present.
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You will be hard pressed to find a primarily socialist system that is better off than even the poorest state in the US. The US and many other countries embrace a number of socialistic policies but the economy is based on free trade and private ownership. Even China has begun moving rather rapidly towards a market economy with strong capitalistic principles. Up until the reforms of the 1980's, China provided 'lifelong' employment to individuals employed in state owned organizations. After the reforms in the 80's and later the in the '90s with China's acceptance into the WTO, China changed the lifelong employment into 5-10 year contracts. China's desire to be a major player in the world markets has caused for it to open up their economy to many private corporations who have advanced capitalistic principles in China. Beyond that, China has found providing employment for 1 billion people unsustainable. As a result, unemployment in urban areas is exceptionally high and in many rural areas, the government is barely present.
I think the main point here is that China has never been socialist. -
Niccolò Rossi wrote: »I think the main point here is that China has never been socialist.
Are you kidding? Take a look at the Chinese Constitution (http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html). Take a look Chinese Company Law (http://www.law-bridge.net/english/LAW/20064/0221042566163.html). Capitalism is specifically condemned. I mean, just a cursory review of Chinese literature will correct your misstatement. -
Are you kidding? Take a look at the Chinese Constitution (http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html). Take a look Chinese Company Law (http://www.law-bridge.net/english/LAW/20064/0221042566163.html). Capitalism is specifically condemned. I mean, just a cursory review of Chinese literature will correct your misstatement.
The view that China was once a "socialist" country stems from the mistaken assumption that capitalism relies on private ownership. The fact of the matter is that the changes which took place in 1949 never had anything to do with the working class seizing control of the means of production and establishing its own organs of power (aka socialism).
China's revolution of 1949 marked the victory of a bourgeois-populist movement, nothing more, nothing less. -
Niccolò Rossi wrote: »The view that China was once a "socialist" country stems from the mistaken assumption that capitalism relies on private ownership. The fact of the matter is that the changes which took place in 1949 never had anything to do with the working class seizing control of the means of production and establishing its own organs of power (aka socialism).
China's revolution of 1949 marked the victory of a bourgeois-populist movement, nothing more, nothing less.
I don't normally say this, but you don't know what you are talking about and you clearly didn't read anything that I sent you. The 1982 Constitution clearly states that socialism is the ? of the society and it rejects private ownership. Its all throughout the Constitution. I've compiled so many reports on this subject, on the structure of the Chinese government, the cost of doing business in China and the regulation one must abide by, that for you to even assert that China isn't a socialist country defies all facts. It is so blatantly wrong. I mean, this is from the preamble of the 1982 Constitution:
"After the founding of the People's Republic, the transition of Chinese society from a new- democratic to a socialist society was effected step by step. The socialist transformation of the private ownership of the means of production was completed, the system of exploitation of man by man eliminated and the socialist system established. The people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants, which is in essence the dictatorship of the proletariat, has been consolidated and developed. The Chinese people and the Chinese People's Liberation Army have thwarted aggression, sabotage and armed provocations by imperialists and hegemonists,safeguarded China's national independence and security and strengthened its national defence. Major successes have been achieved in economic development. An independent and fairly comprehensive socialist system of industry has in the main been established. "
"The Chinese people must fight against those forces and elements, both at home and abroad, that are hostile to China's socialist system and try to undermine it. "
"In building socialism it is imperative to rely on the workers, peasants and intellectuals and unite with all the forces that can be united."
And from the General Articles:
"Article 1. The People's Republic of China is a socialist state under the people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants. The socialist system is the basic system of the People's Republic of China. Sabotage of the socialist system by any organization or individual is prohibited."
I could go on, but you get the picture...hopefully. -
......yawn
To be honest I don't care if the the PRC calls itself socialist. Socialism isn't just some word you can attach to anything you want, it has a definition and china doesn't fit it, no country does. It's an obvious fact that the working class faces the same problems in China as they do everywhere else. What exists in China is capitalism. Save for the fact it goes around using words like communism and socialism, there would be no debate on this.
Genuine socialists, like myself, look forward to the prospect of the Chinese people taking charge of their own destinies. -
Niccolò Rossi wrote: »To be honest I don't care if the the PRC calls itself socialist. Socialism isn't just some word you can attach to anything you want, it has a definition and china doesn't fit it, no country does. It's an obvious fact that the working class faces the same problems in China as they do everywhere else. What exists in China is capitalism. Save for the fact it goes around using words like communism and socialism, there would be no debate on this.
Genuine socialists, like myself, look forward to the prospect of the Chinese people taking charge of their own destinies.
It isn't just a word that China throws around and while there are elements of capitalism in China, no one would ever suggest that China is a capitalistic state. At least under a standard definition of socialism and capitalism. I mean, socialism pervades every aspect of Chinese policy...it's the principle reason why they felt the need to bring Tibet under central control and a driving force behind its push to bring Taiwan under central control. The idea of Chinese 'provinces' being independent with individuals owning private land and farming it for their independent use is a direct front to the the PRC.
I know you 'yawn' at my post, but that's okay. Give me your definition of socialism and defend how it can be successful and I'll tell you what I think.
