Why do you think Socialism doesn't work?

Present some arguments to be countered.

Remember socialism is a broad term and with many branches.

This thread will be about Libertarian Socialism.

 

Everything about communism/socialism goes back to the one thing Karl Marx forgot, human nature. If people know they can have a better life, the ability to make more money, or have more power, 96% of people will take it, that's been human nature and it's animial nature.

 

Human nature is not some absolute traits it is changeable and it depends on the environment, society, and culture.

 

No, it's just a human trait that will never go away, it's a natural one, even in nature, animals battle for power and leadership in their groups.

 

That's why Marx said that communism would be last stage of human mind evolution or something like that. It's not meant to be implanted now. Many socialist countries are doing very fine these days.

 

“Libertarian Socialism”

Sorry I just don’t think that exists, it just seems like an oxymoron

 

I agree.

 

strict market control with a minimum of state interference in social issues

 

Economic freedom is a fundamental aspect of human freedom. Strict control of the economic sphere is incompatible with personal freedom. That's why its no accident that communism brings tyranny.

 

Economic freedom for who? Capitalism gives owners the right to oppress workers through the economic system so how is that freedom for the masses?

 

Libertarianism is supposed to be limited government controll in all aspects of life, inculding market.

 

That's not human or animal nature.

http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141313

The link above deals with Anarchism and Human Nature, but I think it applies in this thread as well.

Sounds like anarchism. Why "libertarian socialism"? Because it sounds better or something?

 

many great books on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_socialism

Basically libertarian socialism is maximizing social freedom and limiting economic freedom to achieve peace, justice, fairness, harmony, progress, and equality.

Economic collectivism and social individualism.

 

Libertarian socialists believes for individuals to be free from oppression, misery, hardship, subjugation, constraints, and exploitation economic freedom needs to be limited.

They see private ownership of the means of production as harmful and unnecessary and against individual freedom.

 

Exactly. Capitalistic economic freedom is only enjoyed by a few while the majority struggles.

 

Are you one of "the masses"? I'm not. Anyone who wonders why there is no such thing as libertarian socialism should maybe think about a political ideology that refers to people as "the masses" like they were some kind of cattle.

 

Yhea proletariat sounds much better and I am proud that I am a proletariat. My comrades and I make all the wealth and the owning class takes the bulk of the wealth while only giving us a fraction of the value of our labour, they didn't even build the means of production it was my comrades they just srewed them out of it. This is not freedom as workers have no legal recourse to the theft of their labour.

 

But Point you are a human being right (not a seven foot lizard) and presumably you are part of a community? Yes you might want what is best for yourself as an individual but are you saying you don’t want what is best for your community or for human beings in general?

And remember grasshopper ‘a single wild cow on its own is easy prey for the predator, there is better protection within the herd, as cattle’

 

so libetarian socialism differs in that it doesnt include market.

 

Taking away the right to own business and control your own money/market I'd say does a good job at taking away from individual freedom.