Impromptu Debate

I will be arguing for my opponent's first option, that is, I will be arguing that American Capitalism as practiced was superior to Soviet-style socialism as practiced. My opponent did not explicitly specify "Soviet socialism as practiced", but if this were a contest between a practiced system and an ideology the ideology would automatically be superior (and I would argue for the ideology), so I have assumed he meant both as practiced as this seems the fairer choice. Let me begin by clarifying my position. "Was" implies we are speaking about the past, and with the use of "Soviet" my opponent has implied a time frame, that is, American capitalism vs. Soviet socialism while the USSR was active. This is a broad timeframe but comparisons can still be made. Superior, is, of course, subjective. The applicable dictionary definition is "of greater excellence", to be excellent is "to surpass", etc. How do you judge an economic and political system? Most of us can agree that the superior system is more moral, lasts longer and is more stable, and produces better results. The last one is a little vague and tricky, but I think we can agree on it. Now, don't mistake me for arguing that American capitalism is, in general, a superior system. I am simply arguing that it is superior to the Soviet Union's system. For Americans, the information I present is generally common knowledge if not exaggerated to be worse than I've described it. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT? Let's be clear what we're looking at with each of these systems, especially since my opponent seems a little unclear. The Soviet Union existed from 1922 to 1991 as a socialist state under various (and variously held to) Marxist ideologies. Each of these had their own effect on the country, but we will look at the USSR in broad terms. The USSR had a nationalized, federally run economy and state ownership of the means of production. This was carried out through draconian measures, from gulags to other forms of forced labor. The system was corrupt and authoritarian at best. The United States' system was not too terribly different from the system which we have today, if unfortunately less egalitarian but fortunately less corporate as well. WWII boosted its economy, fueling consumerism and fast-paced production. It was not laissez-faire, however, as subsidies and investment in science research and development was a clear goal of the time due to the Cold War. As the American capitalist system during the time was overall the same as our system today, I will focus on the Soviet system and its problems. LONGER-LASTING STABILITY This is simple. The Soviet Union collapsed, the American system is still running--having problems, but running. This does not necessarily mean socialism was responsible for the USSR's collapse, even if this is a common argument by anti-socialists. The USSR's collapse was due, directly at least, to a growing desire for independence within the countries it had captured. However, let us consider that the United States has captured territories as well, and had no problem holding them. Judging by the large amount of discontent with the country's economic system in the nation's citizens, there is reason to believe that having an authoritarian system imposed on them only contributed to the conquered nations' discontent. EFFECTIVENESS The Soviet system could not compete with the American system. While both governments made similar leaps and bounds in the scientific field--helped along by the USSR stealing plans for the atomic bomb, for example--American capitalism allowed the country to advance scientifically outside of the military sector. Not only did the American system at least if not better scientific achievements as the USSR, it was able to produce enough to satisfy a ravenous consumer hunger. The Soviet system, on the other hand, was often haphazard and impotent. Even when necessities such as food and clothing were terribly needed, other items such as cigarettes and alchohol were produced despite little demand. MORALITY Which was the more moral system? Despite my dislike of the American system, there seems little reason to revere the USSR in this respect and only reason to despise it. The Soviet system did it's citizens no justice. Despite ideologically being all about egalitarianism, and referring to each other as "comrades", in practice the Soviet Union had just as much inequality as the United States and far more poverty. Soviet authoritarianism, actual inequality, and lack of power for individual citizens is evident in a number of ways. Despite the goal of socialism being worker-run government and worker-owned means of production, workers made up only three percent of the Soviet Union's governing body--after an extensive campaign to increase their already low power. At the height of the USSR's power workers only made up between 20 and 35% of various administrative positions. [1] The USSR's nationally run economy left little room for its citizens and workers to make their own choices. The decisions were simply made for them. Many were moved from their homes to work in fields, others were sent to a total of 476 forced labor camps to be worked to death. [2] SIMILAR SYSTEMS I will point out that the Soviet Union, was the only Marxist-style socialist superpower to exist, while Great Britain has also been called a superpower and has a system similar to American-style capitalism. CONCLUSION The United States clearly surpassed the Soviet Union economically and in every respect that it's economy had an effect on. Despite being not at all perfect, the Soviet Union's authoritarianism and ineffectiveness can hardly be considered superior in the face of the longer-lasting and more potent American capitalism. SOURCES Common knowledge as well as some more specific sources. 1) http://www.jstor.org... 2) http://en.wikipedia.org...