"There are two Socialisms.
One is communistic, the other solidaritarian.
One is dictatorial, the other libertarian.
One is metaphysical, the other positive.
One is dogmatic, the other scientific.
One is emotional, the other reflective.
One is destructive, the other constructive.
Both are in pursuit of the greatest possible welfare for all.
One aims to establish happiness for all, the other to enable each to be happy in his own way.
The first regards the State as a society sui generis, of an especial essence, the product of a sort of divine right outside of and above all society, with special rights and able to exact special obediences; the second considers the State as an association like any other, generally managed worse than others.
The first proclaims the sovereignty of the State, the second recognizes no sort of sovereign.
One wishes all monopolies to be held by the State; the other wishes the abolition of all monopolies.
One wishes the governed class to become the governing class; the other wishes the disappearance of classes.
Both declare that the existing state of things cannot last.
The first considers revolutions as the indispensable agent of evolutions; the second teaches that repression alone turns evolutions into revolution.
The first has faith in a cataclysm.The second knows that social progress will result from the free play of individual efforts.
Both understand that we are entering upon a new historic phase.
The other wishes that there should be no more proletaires.
The first wishes to take everything away from everybody.The second wishes to leave each in possession of its own.
The one wishes to expropriate everybody.The other wishes everybody to be a proprietor.
The first says: 'Do as the government wishes."The second says: 'Do as you wish yourself.'
The former threatens with despotism.The latter promises liberty.
The former makes the citizen the subject of the State.The latter makes the State the employee of the citizen.
One proclaims that labor pains will be necessary to the birth of a new world.
The other declares that real progress will not cause suffering to any one.
The first has confidence in social war.The other believes only in the works of peace.
One aspires to command, to regulate, to legislate.The other wishes to attain the minimum of command, of regulation, of legislation.
One would be followed by the most atrocious of reactions.The other opens unlimited horizons to progress.
The first will fail; the other will succeed.
Both desire equality.
One by lowering heads that are too high.The other by raising heads that are too low.
One sees equality under a common yoke.The other will secure equality in complete liberty.
One is intolerant, the other tolerant.
One frightens, the other reassures.
The first wishes to instruct everybody.The second wishes to enable everybody to instruct himself.
The first wishes to support everybody.The second wishes to enable everybody to support himself.
One says:The land to the StateThe mine to the StateThe tool to the StateThe product to the State
The other says:The land to the cultivator.The mine to the miner.The tool to the laborer.The product to the producer.
There are only these two Socialisms.
One is the infancy of Socialism; the other is its manhood.
One is already the past; the other is the future.
One will give place to the other......... "
~ Ernest Lesigne - Liberty V, 10 (December 17, 1887), No. 114, p. 5.
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The top two photos are of the "Neve Og Rose" or the "Fist and Rose".
This sculpture is in Oslo, Norway and stands in front of the building where the Oslo Accord meetings were held. These were planning sessions for the New World Order.
The "Fist and Rose" is the official logo of the Socialist International.
Socialism pretends to be all snuggly and warm with everyone in the embrace of a loving 'Big Brother' who takes care of all our needs and asks for nothing in return.
We see the offer of the Rose, and are intoxicated by the aroma and beauty, and we are willing to suffer a few pricks from the thorns for the good of humanity and the beauty we percieve but we forget about the Fist which follows.
The petals die and fall away all too soon, and all we have left is the the fist and the pricks. ;)
Oh look. They are already forgetting about the rose...
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Socialism = NAZI Hitler was a Socialist.
NAZI meant 'National Socialism'.
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Our indoctrination began in grade school...
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History's lessons on this subject have been all too painful...
PROS AND CONS OF SOCIALISM
...let's not allow another repeat.
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened."
– Norman Thomas, American socialist
by harry mobley 7/11/2010
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This is an interesting juxtaposition of two possibilities for socialism.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think it is inevitable that human society will always trend towards the less desirable form, for the following reasons.
Until the laws of society are ingrained into human beings as deeply as the laws of society are ingrained into the ants in an ant hill, there will always be a state. And to the extent social norms are imprinted on human behavior they will in turn tend to minimize the individuals range of free will.
As long as there is a state, those that are in charge of it will practice social coercion.
And following Michels' Iron Law of Oligarchy,
those that control the state (if unchecked) will tend towards their own best self perpetuating interests and advantages over that of the best interests of society as a whole, which can be considered a inevitable trend towards oligarchy, and despotism.
Therefore, as there will always be a state, there will always be human predators (defined as social deviants from the norm, among the rulers or the ruled) who must be kept into check, and ordinary members of the state will be forced to live with a general state of coercion.
And beyond that, as everyones gifts and circumstances are a bit different and since there can not be a perfect imposition of social coercion, there will also be some degree of social stratification.
So social stratification, coercion, vested self interests, predators at all levels of society, will cause "socialism" to trend towards the oppressive form, and the state becomes all that more important, rather than superfluous and minimal.
This causes me to believe there are two socialisms, one real and less than ideal and one imaginary.
Well said, Leslie.
ReplyDelete"We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." ~ Joseph Smith
Very good post this one,but we have socialism for the rich people like in Portugal,as they(government)squiz the poor more and more!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting that Obama administration looks more socialist than the socialist governments!