“Capitalism” and “socialism” – what do these words even mean? You could just say that capitalism is the economic system of countries like the United States, and socialism is the economic system of countries like the former Soviet Union. In that case, I’d say that capitalism is at least ok, while socialism is hell on earth. Perhaps my opponent would even agree! It’s more fruitful, though, to treat capitalism and socialism as positions on the ideal economic system. Something like: the capitalist ideal is that government plays very little role in the economy – and the socialist ideal is that government plays the leading role in the economy. In that case, I say that capitalism is awesome, and socialism is terrible.
Tag: equality
Against Argumentative Definitions: The Case of Feminism
What would a non-argumentative definition of feminism look like? Ideally, feminists, non-feminists, and anti-feminists could all endorse it. If that’s asking too much, all these groups should at least be able to accept the proposed definition as a rough approximation of the position they affirm or deny.
The Road
It’s difficult to decide what single action would make gender inequality go away. If getting rid of POTUS would do the trick, I say “off with his head!” But neither the direction nor the facts are crystal clear. Look at the history already exposed. It’s not linear. The future is as unpredictable as the weather. Turbulence may pop up anywhere. Where shall we hold the March? Which road shall we take?
Statism Freezes
I have some friends who want to march on Washington, DC, to express their preference that POTUS loses his office. We can get bogged down in narrow issues real quickly on that question. Because POTUS himself blurs all criteria of whether he is doing a good job, where would one start to open the debate back to definition of a true set of parameters?
Their Own Crummy Societies
Humans are naturally envious, resentful people who lust after what other people have to various degrees. The larger the wealth disparity, the more envious and resentful commies/looters become. This is why we need a more gentle version of helicopter rides … decentralization (my solution to everything).
Only the Rich
The government gives an excludable good away for free: roads, parks, education, medicine, whatever. Then some economist advocates privatization of one of these freebies. Technocrats may offer some technical objections to privatization. Normal people, however, will respond with a disgusted rhetorical question: “So only the rich should have roads / parks / education / medicine / whatever?”
School Prepares Children for Life in the Real World
One of the greatest features of the modern age is the institution of schooling. The ability for parents to outsource their children’s education to people well-versed in pedagogy is nothing short of a miracle. While that’s swell on the academic front, schooling is also a great way to prepare children for life in the real world. Here are the top six ways.
Net Neutrality Will Neuter The Net
Rather than letting market forces incentivize innovation, net-neutrality supporters are advocating that the state step in and force the internet to maintain a status quo that the market, in response to the increasingly high demand for a scarce resource, may or may not want to keep.
What the Response to the Challenge of Jurisdiction Should Tell You
Challenging jurisdiction is a very effective way to reveal the emptiness of the claims made by law enforcement, prosecutors, bureaucrats, and politicians. These folks exist, supposedly, to protect us from predators and to lead us forward toward our collective destiny of equality and prosperity for all. That’s the constant message we receive throughout our lives, anyway. And it’s complete horseshit.
Voluntary Law and Order
People are not all the same, and they make different choices because they have different values, circumstances, and levels of understanding. Sometimes those choices are peaceful and wise; sometimes they are not. So what are the best ways to promote good choices and cooperation while preventing and providing resolution for conflict?