Opinion Stage

Neither pure Capitalism nor pure Socialism are good things. Either one without controls will work. If left up to pure Capitalism only the strongest will survive. If left up to pure Socialism there would be less reason to try to succeed. A combination of the two would seem to me to be in the best interest of all.

If you haven't noticed, socialist countries have a lower standard of living. Every time.

The problem with Capitalism is it's almost as impractical as Socialism, but for different reasons. Socialism fails because of the freeloader mentality, as well as the completely lacking capability of government to allocate resources successfully. Capitalism fails because... we never have had it. It's such a perfect system that it requires a perfect society just as Socialism does, as there's never been an incorruptible government - one that stays out of the economy.

Now, to discredit Socialism, think of all of the big-government failures that have recently been implemented in the west. Ever since the US began growing the size of government, the standard of living and GDP per capita went up for a few months, then dove down, down, down. Why? Big government creates fake wealth that lasts for small bursts of time. Think of the US's debt problem. Direct link to big government (and overseas meddling).

Look at Europe. No country in Europe has ever been as prosperous as the US was when it was the closest to Capitalism in its history. No country has ever matched that level of growth. Now that we have larger and larger groups of people blaming Capitalism for the US economic downturn today (which is due entirely to the opposite - a shift toward Socialistic principles, as we saw with Clinton's housing loans, Obamacare, Welfare, and increased taxes + increased spending), Socialism is sure to see a big increase of supporters.

This has happened all throughout history. It won't be long and we'll have more Socialist groups that implement their ideas into the government, those government will fail, and Capitalism (or as close as we can get to it) will reappear. That Capitalism will eventually get government involved again, government will grow, Socialism favored and implemented once again, and the economy will fail... rinse and repeat.

The cycle has been the same all throughout history.

Inequities stem from degrees of intelligence at BIRTH, the desire to become educated, the desire to achieve...NOT from Capitalism. Both systems become criminal when deceitful, criminal governments, and those who did not create but buy or steal the ideas of the creators. Capitalism reaps rewards for creators. Socialism robs from the creators to give to those who don't create. There is nothing wrong with "worker bees", but Socialism creates sloths rather than bees.

When you value money over people, that's a huge problem. Capitalism does that very thing. Making money the main objective in life, in the way capitalism does, is immoral. Money is not important to living life. Socialism does not make money the main objective in life. Capitalism corrupts humanity by promoting money over people and cooperation. I don't believe there is such a thing as a "free market." Companies that make money will manipulate the market to maintain that capital, regardless of the damage it may create in the larger society. Capitalism does not look out for the betterment of humanity. Capitalism promotes greedy, egocentric, inconsiderate, selfish, individualistic people. It promotes inequality and does not address the needs of humanity.

Socialism's central belief that each member of society is deserving of the same BASIC level of care and support from the government via wealth redistribution is much more appealing than capitalism's central obsession with self-interest as a vehicle of promoting the economy. Since when has letting self-interest run free been good for humanity? Greed, desensitization to poverty, and me-first are all human instincts to be curbed.

First off, neither extreme is desirable. A system that promotes the free market while providing a strong safety net for those down on their luck is what is truly the best choice. I clicked on socialism because right now the United States and increasingly Europe are leaning too far towards eliminating safety nets, thus creating a deeply divided society where the few benefit while the rest work hard for little gain.

Socializing education and healthcare for example would help even the playing field to provide everyone an equal chance at having fulfilling lives.