And could it work in the US?

Capitalism follows the same model as slavery as it was practiced in the American south. So it’s possible the PTB see socialism as slaves owning the plantation.

Can anyone recommend a good book like Socialism 101?

I've never heard of 'aosialism'.

Boru

Funny, when I search "Aosialism" I get links to "Socialism".

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Is this meant to be Aocialism? A reference to Alexandria Orcasio-Cortez?

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Did you hit the "A" instead of "S" ?

If I remember correctly, Rhonda has very poor eyesight, and so checking back over what she's written may be quite the chore for her.

If you haven't guessed already, Rhonda, your thread title misspelled "socialism."

I can't recommend a book for you, unless you want to read Marx, and I don't get the impression you do.

I am also interested in hearing book suggestions people may have. I've been wanting to read Kai Nielsen's "A Moral Case for Socialism" because I like some other things the author has written and I'd be interested in hearing his input on the topic.

(June 25, 2019 at 4:42 pm)Rhondazvous Wrote: And could it work in the US?

Capitalism follows the same model as slavery as it was practiced in the American south. So it’s possible the PTB see socialism as slaves owning the plantation.

Can anyone recommend a good book like Socialism 101?

This is a good book:

Why Marx Was Right, Terry Eagleton

It may be a little theoretical, rather than giving practical advice. 

This same author has talks on YouTube with the same title, which might be a good introduction. Also, a bit "heavier," books and YouTube talks by David Harvey. Like this one. 

For an analysis of the problems with capitalism, Capitalist Realism by Mark Fisher is well worth reading. 

Quote:So it’s possible the PTB see socialism as slaves owning the plantation.

In a sense, yes. Except when the ex-slaves own the plantation, they aren't slaves any more. They are co-owners, who share in both the responsibilities and the decision-making. The nutshell definition of socialism is that the same people who own the factory work in the factory. (Or in the store, or whatever.) They vote on how to run the business, how to use the profits, etc. 

Whether it could work in the US is a big issue. On smaller scales, for example in a smallish company, it could certainly work. On nationwide scales, sometimes. So-called socialized medicine would be a huge institution, but it's proper to call it socialism because it is run by and for the people -- profits and costs are shared, and nobody is skimming off the money to get rich. In this sense, Japan has socialized health insurance and it works really well.

Not sure I could make it through a book called 'Why Marx Was Right'.  I'm a democratic socialist and have no reason to change, but Karl Marx was a deluded mystic with a true talent for guessing wrong about history and human motivations.

Boru

Much of that was Hegel's influence. I tend to like Early Marx better than Late Marx too. Late Marx was a bit too sure of himself and his solution. Early Marx was more of a liberal... more of a dude who wanted to improve the human condition... not so hoisted on his own petard.

Marx made some precise evaluations about what drives the price of labor and how, left unchecked, capitalism would render human life completely valueless. He was pretty on point in his criticisms. His solutions relied on some unfounded assumptions, true. But he doesn't have to be right about everything to be right about something.

(June 26, 2019 at 11:23 am)vulcanlogician Wrote: Much of that was Hegel's influence. I tend to like Early Marx better than Late Marx too. Late Marx was a bit too sure of himself and his solution. Early Marx was more of a liberal... more of a dude who wanted to improve the human condition... not so hoisted on his own petard.

Marx made some precise evaluations about what drives the price of labor and how, left unchecked, capitalism would render human life completely valueless. He was pretty on point in his criticisms. His solutions relied on some unfounded assumptions, true. But he doesn't have to be right about everything to be right about something.

Yeah, it's been pretty widely argued that Marx would have been better off if he'd never heard of Hegel. Can't say I disagree.

I also agree that Marx didn't get everything wrong (few people ever do), but his predictions about the State withering away and communal ownership making everything all sweetness and light simply don't take into account how human beings do things.

Boru

(June 26, 2019 at 1:20 am)vulcanlogician Wrote: If I remember correctly, Rhonda has very poor eyesight, and so checking back over what she's written may be quite the chore for her.

If you haven't guessed already, Rhonda, your thread title misspelled "socialism."

I can't recommend a book for you, unless you want to read Marx, and I don't get the impression you do.

I am also interested in hearing book suggestions people may have. I've been wanting to read Kai Nielsen's "A Moral Case for Socialism" because I like some other things the author has written and I'd be interested in hearing his input on the topic.

To me, the moral case for socialism is glaringly obvious. I'd like to see a thinker provide a way to actually implement it in today's society, something I think to be impossible.

(June 26, 2019 at 12:34 pm)Aegon Wrote: To me, the moral case for socialism is glaringly obvious. I'd like to see a thinker provide a way to actually implement it in today's society, something I think to be impossible.

I agree with you that there are many impediments to socialism, at least in today's society. But I think that socialism is possible.

What stands out to you as socialism's biggest impediment(s) to realization?