Capitalism vs Socialism

Which system do you prefer?

  • Capitalism

    Votes: 32 55.2%
  • Socialism

    Votes: 26 44.8%

  • Total voters
    58

Joel`

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I think the "Are footballer's overpaid?" thread raised some very interesting points about people's political ideals, and thought it'd make an interesting debate.

For those who don't know the difference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

(Wikipedia, but whatever.)

Personally, I believe in the capitalist system only. ****, I even think our NHS should be privatised more. Looking at every country that has ever tried leaning more towards socialist policy than capitalism policy they have always been far less successful. Fundamentally it comes down to the fact that socialism won't allocate resources properly and we produce far less as a result, so while we may be equal, we're far worst off than we wouldn't be in a capitalistic system.

Your opinions?
 
I think the "Are footballer's overpaid?" thread raised some very interesting points about people's political ideals, and thought it'd make an interesting debate.

For those who don't know the difference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

(Wikipedia, but whatever.)

Personally, I believe in the capitalist system only. ****, I even think our NHS should be privatised more. Looking at every country that has ever tried leaning more towards socialist policy than capitalism policy they have always been far less successful. Fundamentally it comes down to the fact that socialism won't allocate resources properly and we produce far less as a result, so while we may be equal, we're far worst off than we wouldn't be in a capitalistic system.

Your opinions?

It comes down to the dividing line of moral stature and financial stature, which is what started the argument. "Do you deserve said allocated money?"
 
socialism, and in the extreme Communism, are both very good ideas in theory. But in practice human free will can't allow it to work whereas Capitalism for the most part does work so I would have to say Capitalism > Socialism
 
Socialism is far more successful than Capitalism. Has Capitalism worked in Africa and South America? No. Has socialism? Yes.

I am a capitalist though :)
 
Socialism is far more successful than Capitalism. Has Capitalism worked in Africa and South America? No. Has socialism? Yes.

I am a capitalist though :)

How has either system been successful in Africa? ..
 
I'm a leftie, which you probably figured out... not that hard tbh! However, I'm aware of the limitations, in order for communism/socialism to succeed, it would have to be applied worldwide and simultaneously, which makes it almost impossible to apply in practice. I do believe that several concepts can and should be applied if society is to improve. In several ways I firmly believe areas of society are devolving, which I find worrying.

Also, I'm sure I'll be pretty much alone here, but I'll try to explain my pov as well as I can if I'm allowed.
 
socialism, and in the extreme Communism, are both very good ideas in theory. But in practice human free will can't allow it to work whereas Capitalism for the most part does work so I would have to say Capitalism > Socialism

Totally agree with the above post :D

In such countries as France, Germany, USA and Great Britain, plus more, The capitalist system has been in place for many many years, Ok, in different forms, but it's been there, the seeds were planted ages ago, so it works very well for us.
How ever, my Fiance is from Slovakia, which use to be under communist rule. Now, i say, which is better, Capitalism or Communism....and their answer? Every one had jobs, they had some money, every one had land....etc But under capitalism, Not every one has jobs, and if they do, They are on **** wages, my Fiances mother is on about 400 euros a month for working 12 hour shifts, nights and days, 5-6 days a week.
Money is even tighter now then it was back in Communist rule. Why? because everything has shot up in price yet the wages have remained very low. They all had land given to them by the state, and alot of it, yet now, you have to pay through the **** for land, which is hard considering the **** wages.
My point here being is that in the West, Capitalism works well because it's what we're use to, our history has been building towards it. It WILL work in Eastern Europe as well, but it will be an extremely hard struggle, because you can't just totally change everything over night. Capitalism was implemented right away, which just doesn't work.

I hope i made sense in my rant there lol
 
Egypt and Libya are by far the richest African countries. (Don't mention what's happening to them now 8-|)

Libya is 'rich' only because it has vast amounts of oil. Egypt is a quasi-socialist nation. They do hold elections for example. As an Economics student, Capitalism FTW. South Africa and Botswana have to be the two best examples of it's success in Africa.
 
Socialism is far more successful than Capitalism. Has Capitalism worked in Africa and South America? No. Has socialism? Yes.

I am a capitalist though :)

Ah the economic powerhouses of Africa and South America!! Of course...
 
In practice socialism will never work well not on a nationwide scale anyway. Socialism is good a philosophy but in reality it fails in recognising one simple problem that humans are flawed and any system based on fairness will eventually crumble.

We are not a true Capitalist state as the government helps support those who need it (and some who exploit it) if we were a true capitalist state people would only be worth what they can give, businesses would be allowed to collapse it would basically be a fend for yourself (and family) society.

I think that what we have now is the only workable model there are problems but these problems can be ironed out there will never be a perfect system such an idea is a dream whenever has anything built by man been perfect. Also we are now dependent on the world we are no longer an isolated community we depend on others and to change our society so drastically will mean we would lose out on the world market due to having low economic value and as a nation we are not self sustainable.

People always strive for better the only way socialism/communism works is by means of oppression.
 
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If you thing about it Socalism creates Capitalism for the people in charge allocating the money and resources.

---------- Post added at 04:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:19 AM ----------

Also it depends on the country as if socialism goes on in a poor place the whole place in theory is poor wheras with capitalism the people who make money for themselves somehow are not poor and the people who don't are poor.

With capitalism there is more social mobility, for example going to Oxbridge will move you up the ladder, whereas with socialism you are either the people or the government...
 
In communism, it wouldn't really matter if we're economic powerhouses or not :p

Well I don't think they record levels of youth unemployed who are demonstrating to overthrow autocratic dictators with £10m houses in London would agree.
 
I prefer the ideology of socialism, but whichever system is in place doesn't really matter when it's almost always at the behest of corrupt individuals and groups working the system to their goals.
 
In communism, it wouldn't really matter if we're economic powerhouses or not :p

Well it kinda does... as in theory with communism money is distributed equally.... (this most of the times is really not the case as a lot of current communist countries are quite corrupt) so if the place is poor everyone is poor..... where as it the place happened to be rich.... then the people would have decent amounts of money.
 
I think it pretty often comes down to how one have grown up. My parents are not together and I've had the opportunity of seeing both sides, as good as you can in Sweden I guess.
My mother being single raising two children on a single income, struggling with loans, rent and all other bills you can think of. I'm glad I live in Sweden so I atleast can go too the hospital when I need it without going in to debt.

On the other side, my father is married and have ran a pretty succesfull business for over 10 years.
He have not had any problems with money, sure he's not super rich but he manages and gets plenty too spend on fun stuff.

My father of course, wouldn't want very much of a social ideology since that means that he gets less of what he makes, paying more taxes which in the end (is supposed to atleast) goes too other people who have less.

My mother though, pretty much can't survive without some welfare system.

I am more of a socialist than a capitalist. I don't belive that some people should have MUCH more than others, I'm not a complete communist either. Of course there are going to be gaps in income and such. But as it is now (with 50% of the money belonging to 1% of the people) I think it really really sucks. I mean, of course some jobs can earn people more money than others, but as it is now it's just rediciolus. It's good as long as you got a good income of course.

In school we were pretty much pushed to become greedy. Life's a competition, and it's not a ******* team game. People are to tend for themselves, fighting their way forward, trampling down anyone who comes in the way of them and more money. Money they don't really need but want.
 
I prefer the ideology of socialism, but whichever system is in place doesn't really matter when it's almost always at the behest of corrupt individuals and groups working the system to their goals.

This.

However I do adopt a marxist ideology but with more respect on other things rather than Money.
 
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