Quote:
Originally Posted by makarios68
Swap Capitalism for what exactly?
Various alternatives have been tried and all have failed.
All that happens is one set of bullies gets replaced with another.
The reason for this is simple: most people don't want power, they don't want to rule or to govern. They just want to raise their families in peace.
But there are a minority of people who crave power. And it is these people that we need to be wary of. There has to be a political system in place which ensures that these power-hungry people don't take excess liberties with the power they are given.
In this respect the capitalist system is the best in human history. Our leaders are accountable to us, we can kick them out of office at voting time, they can be brought to trial for wrongdoings - we can even openly mock them in the media.
Don't get me wrong, capitalism is a long way from being perfect - i'm well aware of it's failings.
I'm just saying that is the best political system to date.
As for Marxism - it has a very useful role as a critique of capitalism. It shines the spotlight on the failings of capitalism.
But if you shout for a revoltion - you need to be careful.
You never know what you'll get!
|
Capitalism isn't a political system. Neither is Communism. They are economic theories, one based on exploiting the average worker, the other based on his emancipation.
As for leader accountability, in a Communist society there would be nothing stopping the people from holding their leaders accountable, trying them for misdeeds etc. Actually it would probably be much more efficient and leaders would actually be prosecuted instead of walking free like they do today, hiding under the skirts of big business.
Marxism DOES shine a light on the one giant failing of Capitalism. It's based on exploitation. That's what Marxism teaches us.
EDIT: I forgot to point out that I'm eagerly awaiting the Revolution.