Noam Chomsky - Q&A @ Sussex University (4b)

[kbutd4ever]

thats his point dumbo... and he never shys away from things that don support his argument.. Infact he has this uncanny memory and thirst that he spins everything against his argument with new data and proves that the original point was only against him because it wasnt put forth in entirety.

[susynoid]

Esoteric, you make a good point about individuals having the freedom to do what they want with their personal capital, just as freedom for labor movement is a foundational block of classic liberal thought. In an egalitarian society, there would be no massive concentrations of capital, by definition, and therefore no need to restrict capital flows.

-continued-

[susynoid]

-continued from above-

However, in an unjust society wherein an elitist class robs the majority by profiting on what is basically slavery, either in some sort of servitude by denial of equal opportunities in education and the like, then I don't think an 'investor' has any right to run with the spoils as soon as the masses gain enough political strength to demand their fair share.

[esoteric0722]

Also, he claims that countries must "hold huge reserves to protect their currency which slows economic growth".

This is pretty naive. In fact, countries central banks hold very little "reserve" currency and simply print more if they need it. I would argue this is an abhorrent act, but to suggest that the freedom of capital "forces" countries to hold huge reserves is pretty much baseless.

[esoteric0722]

-continued-

Is Chomsky suggesting that we freeze all capital and abolish all reserves? Terrible economic policy right there.

Again, how can enabling someone with money to spend it as he wishes be an "attack on democracy"? Seems like backward thinking to me. Unless you think that socialism = democracy (which it doesn't) and wealth re-distribution is the method of choice by which to build your economy.

[nikancuole]

Socialism doesn't equal democracy because Socialism is an economic system, while Democracy is a political system.

Capitalism, however, can "attack" Democracy. If large concentrations of capital (corporations, banks, etc) literally own the ptoductive forces and resources of their country, and of foreign countries, isn't that a threat to the ability of majority of citizens (both domestic and abroad) to influence the public policy in their countries?

[RPFS2008]

Democracy is Tyranny (of the majority)

Even then "democracy" doesn't exist. Once Gov has the power to interfere in the market, corporations will buy that power and wield it for their own gain.

[timetochilli]

@nikancuole the only way socialism will equal democracy is if you pursue it in a democratic way to me dat means works own the means to production as in workers should run the workplace and be concerned about community interests with values of solidarity

[ymirfrostgiant]

Socialism is inherently democratic.

Allowing workers to control their means of production and own what they produce naturally carries over to their control of the organs of government.

This is obviously completely unacceptable for those who own everything but produce nothing.

[Endstation]

@ymirfrostgiant

Maybe you should study the Mondragon Coproration in the Basque Country in Spain. Socialism can be very democratic, and it doesn't need to be totally egalitarian. The Soviet Union state socialism had not anything to do with the core principles of socialism: worker-control and democracy. Npo worker controlled anything in Soviet Russia.

[esoteric0722]

I don't adore Chomsky, but I respect him a great deal. One thing I don't think I agree with is his contention that "freeing up capital" is an attack on democracy.

[rhettnyedotorg]

Good stuff on the videos here man but everyone's wondering where the rest of the discussion is?

[vicnameless]

Thanks for posting...much love.

[Davey1977]

Thank you very much for posting this. I can't believe this only has 600 views.

[tarnopol]

What happened to the end? Gets cut off. Thanks for posting!

[UltimateHater1]

"...and one aspect is the kind of things you're talking about" It ends there followed by the usual host of the event thanking him and loud applause.

[tarnopol]

Good enough! Thanks!