Comments by "" (@TheHuxleyAgnostic) on "Where Has Socialism Worked?" video.
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If you're only going to accept full blown socialism, before using that word, then you should only accept full blown capitalism before using that word. In that case, only countries with absolute monarchies, like Saudi, might represent full capitalism, as they are totally privately owned enterprises. If that ruler builds a road, he's building it on his own private property.
Most countries run on a mix of both capitalism, privately owned enterprises, and socialism, publicly owned enterprises. There's nothing wrong with the term "socialized medicine", if it's publicly owned. And, if even one thing is publicly owned, then you've got a small percentage of socialism mixed with your capitalism.
The only exceptions being things that someone like Ayn Rand made exceptions for, even under extreme capitalism ... military, legal system, etc., to protect private interests and private property. Those things are more a difference in levels of authoritarianism, and there are authoritarian and non-authoritarian versions of both capitalism and socialism.
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@thewellhaspoison Marx totally talked about having a transition, in which you'd still need a government. If that government does things that reduces the gap in classes (minimum wage, free education, free medical, etc.), then that is a partial move towards socialism and away from all out capitalism. If that government spreads out money according to need (disability, baby bonus, old age, unemployment), then it's a partial move towards socialism, and away from all out capitalism. If that government gives some power to the workers (legalizing unions and strikes, worker safety regulations, guaranteed days off, limited work day, minimum wages, etc.), then it's a partial move towards socialism, and away from all out capitalism. Etc.
If a "mixed" economy isn't a mix of capitalism and socialism, then what's it a mix of? If centrism isn't in the centre of capitalism and socialism, then what's it in the centre of?
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