In Reply to: What kind of socialism do you all want to see? posted by Kris on July 03, 1996 at 18:18:42:
The reason you haven't seen a system which solves all of these problems is because there hasn't ever really been one. Possibly the best example was the 1917 Russian revolution. For a short period of time the Bolsheviks managed to obtain power, overthrow the state and allow the workers to have control over the workplace. However because it was an isolated case, in addition to other factors, it was short-lived. Gradually, the state primarily by method of military force, was able to regain power. The underlying factor evident from this scenario is that change cannot occur in an isolated or single contry. Change must initially occur in several if not all of the major industrial countries. The conditions for this change are already evident. World-wide there is mass unemployment, escalating foreign debt levels, homelessness and poverty in both Third World and developed countries, increasing crime rates - probably as a result of the just mentioned conditions, increasing inequality in the distribution of wealth and a general feeling of anxiety amongst the general population. As governments persist with their austere measures vis-a-vis cutting social welfare spending, closing hospitals and schools, decreasing foreign aid, privatising public assets at scandalous rates (Australia is the proud leader in this regard - $9.5 billion worth last year) and generally applying economic rationalist principles to the plethora of problems encountered on a daily basis. In essence, it is difficult to describe what form of socialism will solve these problems. If we were to model a new system it would have to be one in which there is no avenue to gain power or authority. Community members would hold any necessary positions requiring decision-making. Maybe then this system could appropriately be termed democracy. Democracy being where the general public plays a meaningful and important role in the management of public affairs. These preconditions would inevitably rule out any form of centrally-planned economy such as the pre-1991 Russia. That the U.S.S.R. was ever referred to as socialist proves just how effective the Western adopted propaganda was in creating anti-socialist/communist hysteria. However as previously stated it is difficult if not impossible to specifically describe a system which will supercede capitalism. Presumably by actively seeking to change the world it will just happen. Any form of planning of this system may in fact impede the process.