Capitalism vs socialism

In proving Socialism is better than Capitalism I have also refuted your argument, additional points are added at the end. DEFINITION: SOCIALISM: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. IN MARXIST THEORY: the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles. ADVANTAGES OF SOCIALISM: 1.EQUALITY OF OPPURTUNITY: Socialism promotes the formation of a classless society in which equal opportunities are provided to all, this also helps in maximising the potential of each individual, and this view is shared by technocratic socialists. EQUALITY OF OUTCOME: this concept is based on the belief that each and every role in society is vital, this advocates equal distribution of rewards and equal powers in decision making, thus also promoting the formation of a classless, self – sufficient society, this view being shared by communal utopian socialists. Socialism essentially helps in reducing the gap between the rich and poor. Equality is an extremely vital part of a progressing nation. Hence socialism is an effective tool which helps in the creation of equality between the citizens of a nation. 2.ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES AND EFFICIENCY: The wealth of the earth belongs to all men or none. Capitalism advocates the concentration of wealth, resources and power in the hands of few people. These people are already well off and hence will have little incentive to use their resources efficiently, thus giving way to the growth of a grossly inefficient economic system. Socialism, on the other hand promotes the equal and/or equitable distribution of wealth, resources and power in the hands of community at large, giving each man the need to work hard for the progress of himself as an individual as well as for the progress of community at large. In a socialist system work becomes a free activity and the people receive the full fruits of their labour. Socialism also helps in the removal of middlemen and the creation of syndicates – this helps to uplift the citizens of that nation. 3.HUMANITY: The values of kindness, honesty and goodwill for all, are what set humans physiologically apart from animals, these values are showcased throughout the system of socialism. A metaphoric example - Wild animals are in continuous search for prey; they are always searching, killing and hunting in an extremely barbaric manner. In a jungle, for example, the animals highest in the food chain eventually are the ones that survive the fray; this is very similar to the concept and ideology of capitalism which promotes the concentration of resources in the hands of few people. The weak animals, exist in large numbers, are exploited by the larger stronger animals present in fewer number. This is synonymous to the system of capitalists viewing workers to be commodities, which should be exploited for the main aim of private profits. Socialism on the other hand sheds light on the physiological evolution of man from a primitive uncivilized being. Here all people are offered equal opportunities which they can use to maximise their talent and the resources available. An individual not only works hard for his own progress, but also for the progress of society as a whole. The distribution of power and the ownership of the means of production in the hands of the workers, described by Karl Marx as the sole producers of wealth. Thus in socialism both the values of humanity and the system of an efficient economy (explained in point 2) is promoted. As you mentioned in your argument, I'm quoting now, ‘Our country was founded upon faith, hope and love. (the ‘our' referring to The United States Of America ), the above paragraph clearly explains how Socialism promotes the ideas of humanity and shows its progress, hence proving that a Socialist structure of government would be more suitable. 4.CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS: Capitalism causes the degradation of artisans and craftsmen, to routine machine-like work. Capitalism has absolutely no space for the natural or acquired talent of people. Division of labour is a cruel tool used by capitalists in order to maximise profits and reduce the value of a worker, hence also reducing their wages. Socialism on the other hand advocates the participation of individuals in the activities of society, this system is both individualistic as well as collective in nature, individualistic as workers are not considered or referred to as the ‘collective mob' employed by a minority of owners, means of production are now in the hands of the workers, thus work becomes a free activity, with each worker enjoying the full fruits of his labour. It is collective in nature as means of production are owned and controlled by society and not a minority of capitalists. Socialism promotes the participation of individuals in society and encourages them to use their resources, talents and assets in the direction of social as well as individual progress. Socialism thus enables full participation of individuals in the intellectual, cultural and political aspects of society. 5.WAY OF LIFE: In a socialist system, society is ruled and controlled by the people, why would anyone choose another system of living? In a capitalistic system, society is ruled by money, why would anyone want to live under such conditions? A system where money is chief the controlling factor in society just further showcases the lack of humanity and the severe degradation of human nature. 6.SOCIALISM FOR THE GREATER GOOD: Socialism has provisions and rights for the welfare of people, like the right to work, the right to education, the right to free health care at the point of use etc.; these rights are reflected in welfare models of democracies all over the globe and are also showcased in a socialist system, thus implying that to attain the main goals of a democratic system of government, a socialist system is a necessity. Why should a minority of the population (the capitalists) be given the license to block the progress of society as a whole towards the goals of freedom and equality? 7.COMPARISON OF CAPITALIST AND SOCIALIST MONOPOLIES: Capitalist monopolies lead to certain individuals earning obscene amounts of profits, by selling products and services at exorbitant prices. Citizens of that capitalist nation have no other way of obtaining those goods and services and hence are forced to comply with the obscene prices charged on goods all in the name of having a capitalist economy. Socialist monopolies on the other hand are benign, since the state has the interests of citizens as well as society at large at heart rather than the enrichment of a particular individual. 8.AIM OF SOCIALIST ECONOMIES: Socialist economies are well planned and focus more on human happiness and unity rather than the glorification or gratification of a relatively small group of the population of a nation. A socialist system of governance helps to gain respect, wealth and position in society for all rather than a minority of the population , this displays social control – the excesses of capitalism will forever mean that while some may kiss the stars too many will fall by the wayside, the weak are downtrodden and left behind and forgotten. Capitalist economies are money-driven without much regard for people unless they are owners or shareholders of business firms. In a capitalist economy, there is fierce competition and, perhaps, unfair competition. There is a tendency, in capitalist economies, for big companies to get bigger and for monopolistic behaviour to occur. Unfair labour practices may occur since companies are driven by the profit motive. Since capitalism requires continual growth, environmental damage may occur as the resources of the earth are depleted. Some say capitalism makes the rich richer, and the poor poorer. FACTS AND FIGURES 1.THE DEBT CRISIS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: America is a capitalist nation and is now in a great debt crisis, the national debt sums up to over 15,000,000,000,000 dollars. - http://www.usdebtclock.org... . – The site provides in detail the actual figures of the US National Debt. 2.China, a socialist nation, owns the largest amount of foreign debt in The United States Of America – the total amounting to - $1134.1 billion dollars (as of October 2011) – this is elaborated in the site - http://www.davemanuel.com.... The site also elaborates the growth of American debt - Current: $15,131,979,264,288.80 2004: $7,379,052,696,330.32 1999: $5,656,270,901,615.43 1994: $4,692,749,910,013.32 1989: $2,857,430,960,187.32 1984: $1,572,266,000,000.00 1979: $826,519,000,000.00 1974: $475,059,815,731.55 1969: $353,720,253,841.41 1964: $311,712,899,257.30 1959: $284,705,907,078.22 3.The United States Of America also showcase a large number of bank failures with their capitalist economy. - 2010 - 157 2009 - 140 2008 - 30 2007 - 3 2006 - 0 2005 - 0 2004 - 4 2003 - 3 2002 - 11 2001 - 4 2000 - 7 1999 - 8 1998 - 3 1997 - 1 1996 - 6 1995 - 8 1994 - 15 1993 - 50 1992 - 181 1991 - 271 1990 - 382 1989 - 534 1988 - 470 1987 - 262 1986 - 204 1985 - 180 1984 - 106 1983 - 99 1982 - 119 1981 - 40 1980 - 22 1979 - 10 1978 - 7 1977 - 6 1976 - 17 1975 - 13 1974 - 4 1973 - 6 1972 - 2 1971 - 7 1970 – 7 So much for a capitalist economy being efficient! 4.A global debt clock too proves that capitalist countries, (America) have greater debt crises than socialist countries (China). Even though each individual person may earn more in a capitalist country, the nation as a whole progresses more with a socialist system of government, with alongside relatively good progress of the individual. – The clock is displayed at the site - http://www.economist.com... . 5.The Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway, etc.) are consistently rated the best places to live - and they are, perhaps, the most Socialist countries out there right now. For instance, Sweden takes about 51% of the average citizen's income, yet Swedish citizens are arguably more content and happy with their lives than we are. Germany can also be added to the Socialist list, although more capitalist than the Scandinavian countries (and also ranked right below them on a list of best countries to live in. Go figure.) Please, explain to me how Socialism is a terrible, broken philosophy. This is further elaborated in the site - http://answers.yahoo.com... 6.Examples of the success of welfare provisions established with a socialist outlook – •Britain's National Health Service (NHS) – The National Health Service offers care to all residents of the United Kingdom. The aim of the health service is to ensure that anyone can receive the medical care they need, regardless of their age, circumstances or financial situation. The NHS offers many advantages to UK residents, especially in terms of the cost, the care available and the continuous quality reviews. Elaborated at the site - http://www.monetos.co.uk... •According to the CIA World Factbook, nine European countries place ahead of the United States in terms of per capita Gross Domestic Product — Luxembourg, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Netherlands — all socialist countries. The United Kingdom, Austria, Canada, Australia, France, and Germany come up close on the heels of the United States.1 Considering the fact that these countries generally have less natural resources than the United States, and they offer extensive government services — free medical care, public transportation for the poor, generous unemployment income, and retirement benefits — hence proving that socialist systems of government are truly better than capitalistic systems. •Several Socialist organizations are thriving , this is elaborated at - http://stumblingandmumbling.typepad.com...