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  • From: Lee Haslup <biglee AT haslups.com>
  • To: "Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/" <internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [internetworkers] from the desk of Arianna Huffington
  • Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2004 01:53:18 -0400

Paul Cory wrote:

Neither capitalism nor socialism, in their pure forms, works well. However, a blend of the two, such as exists in America, seems to work really well.

The problem I always have with the arguments of "third-way" types is that I find it a bit hard to grasp what they mean by "pure" capitalism (the kind that doesn't work.) It seems to be some sort of mirror image of socialist utopianism -- reversed, but not that different. A pure socialist believes that any resources in excess of what is needed for sensible living should be used to bring up the general level of wellbeing of society as a whole. He would never dream of spending that excess on something that he personally wants merely because he finds it interesting or important or beautiful. A pure capitalist, on the other hand apparently believes that resources in excess of what is needed for sensible living should be invested to make a profit. He, too, would never dream of spending his money on something he merely wants. The second he spends a nickel on himself he ceases to be a "pure" capitalist. Ebeneezer Scrooge was, more or less, a "pure" capitalist before his conversion, and like all such archetypes, he is a work of fiction.

A more useful continuum, one that doesn't wrap around and meet at the ends, is one based on a laissez-faire, libertarian calculus -- with individuals making all economic decisions at one end of the continuum and politicians making the decisions at the other. Most people tend to recognize this as similar to the Socialist/Capitalist spectrum. I realize that by saying "politicians" instead of "the government" I have revealed where on this continuum I tend to hang out. Nonetheless, it is true that there is a "best" point on the continuum that is not at either of the ends. Paul is right about that. Socialism is a fragrant load of crap but sometimes you need just a bit to grow proper tomatoes. Where we disagree is on the location of that optimal spot. Paul appears to think that knee-deep is not enough. Personally, I could do with less.

Lee





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