A great divide is opening between older socialists like Sanders and ‘The Squad’
Empirically, the socialist record is one of dismal and at times murderous failure. Why, then, do intellectuals, scholars, and commentators continue in their romantic attachment to it?
Among the most conspicuous of socialism’s failings is its capacity to generate vast shortages of things essential for life.
What needs rethinking is not capitalism – much less the ideals of universal human rights and liberties – but the corruption of liberalism by a state that knows no limits to its powers.
When Professor Stiglitz says that his neo-socialism is the only alternative to the failed neo-liberalism of our time, he is merely saying: let me impose upon you the economic planning schemes that I consider the good, fair, and just ones for you, in place of those other command-economy coercers who want to take you down “wrong”…
Government right now is historically unpopular, just as the free market is widely respected as the proper way to bring about social change.
If socialism can’t be made to work in such a small and simple case like this, why would one think that all these problems would go away once you expand the idea of common ownership to the whole of society and all existing goods?
Socialism is the antisocial system of politics over people, governmental power instead of peaceful and free association, and a handful of imposed political plans instead of a pluralism of as many plans as there are people in the world.
Capitalism is not a hallmark of conservatism, it’s the most surefire way to change the world.
People can vote with their feet for different political, economic, and social institutions. They have overwhelmingly voted for liberty, opportunity, and prosperity when free to do so.
Yours may well be the decisive voice — the final increment of weight that shifts the balance and brings our ship of state, indeed our civilization, to survival course.
Despite the screeds and slogans of would-be central planners and opponents of private property, individual liberty and steadily rising prosperity were — and remain — the true revolution.