Weblog
05/04/01 10:56 PM: Recently, I have been arguing
Recently, I have been arguing with the local Marxists and Socialists about ‘Collectivism’ in general. Often people remark that Communism would be “Great if it worked, but it doesn’t.” They also say that “Capitalism is bad, but it’s the better than the others.” These all so often uttered statements intrigue me. People are basically saying that Capitalism is evil, but it works, so we use it. Communism would be great, but it doesn’t work, so it can’t be used and it will destroy us all.
I question this morality of Socialism. It’s not that I don’t like other people, or want to see other people die and suffer while I benefit from that suffering and dying. I don’t think that the Socialists want to see people dying and suffering. I think though that the moral aspect of Capitalism needs to be looked at. Not the quasi-Capitalism that is in place in America today, but I suppose “pure” capitalism, in theory. Since we are always talking about Communism in theory, do the same for Capitalism.
The problem I see with Communism is a lack of motivation. People say that people would be motivated to improve the life of the entire society, and that would be benefit enough for their hard work. I completely disagree. I feel that if I work in a factory for 12 hours, and work efficiently, and help a company produce 5 more units, I should see some benefit. Those 5 extra units will make no difference to the society as a whole, and I won’t see anything from it. I can work all I want, or I can just stay at home and do nothing, and I have the same quality of life, at least materially. You can argue that they will have a better social life if they help contribute, but really now, would I be willing to work 12 hours in a factory so I can be “popular” ? I really doubt many would give up their time, their life, for no benefit. Sure, people volunteer, and people do things they enjoy free of charge. Examples such as free software or the Salvation Army can be cited. When it comes down to it though, under Socialism, everyone could not do what they want to do, and cannot make a personal decision on what to do. For example, say someone wanted to be a Computer Programmer. I’m sorry, we already have a lot of Computer Programmers, you have to be a Farmer. We need farmers, so we can have food. I know you’ll understand because we all need food. Relegated to a life of dedicating yourself to the “Community.” Your life, spent seeing that the whole can benefit, is wasted because you have lost the freedom to decide for yourself how to live that life.
It comes down to a basic question of the nature of equality. I would argue that everyone should have a right to equality of opportunity. That is, having equal access to education that is the fundamental to achieving success. After that, where you end up should be based on how much you are willing to work. No longer, “From each according to ability, to each according to need.” The ideal society would be where all would have the opportunity to make of their lives what they wished. Unfortunately in our country, and in other countries, that has not yet been achieved. I am not a social Darwinist, or a ultra-conservative. I am looking at the facts, and the history. Capitalism rewards people who work hard, and that hard work in return then still does help the society as a whole. If I work hard and design a new method for creating power, if I sell that to others, then they can use it to provide cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient power for everyone. Everyone benefits. While under Socialism, I might have done this just because I wanted to help everyone and make cleaner power; there is no “real” incentive. While you may argue that seeking incentive is because we have been living in a Capitalist society, I reject that. People, are by nature, self-interested. I am not using the word selfish, because too many people will take that the wrong way, I suppose. The majority of people look out for themselves first. Is that really so bad though? I don’t know. If I want a new television, and I work hard where I work so I can earn the money needed to buy it, I don’t see what is so wrong with that. From my work, then it makes it so someone else can purchase something from the company I work for. Everyone can work, and in turn receive not only what they need, but also what they desire. In a true ideal society, everyone would benefit, not from giving something up to society, but by dedicating themselves to themselves.
“From each according to dedication, to each in return.”
