George Orwell on Socialism

[scalp340]

i dont know about the liberals, but us libertarians (and i speak for me only) enjoy orwell because of the not subtle way he nails Marxism, communism totalitarianism, and tyranny to the wall. as for him being a socialist, that has always been a head scratcher for me.

[dustinjt]

@scalp340 Because you don't understand what Marxism and communism are. They're not similar to totalitarianism. They are democratic systems, which have been implemented by fascists. That's what Orwell critiques: the complete bastardization of the idea of socialism by fascists (who called themselves socialists); particularly Stalin.

[autonomia386]

Orwell got it right, libertarian socialism is the way to liberate man from the evils of fascism, capitalism and monarchy.

[CrossoverManiac]

It's sad to see that this fool has learned nothing. You can not have a classless society without having some sort of overlord enforcing equality *of results* (not to be confused with equality under the law) on others by redistribution of wealth and penalizing success. The very tyranny he so detested and warned others about in "Animal Farm" and "1984" is the only means by which his classless society can come about via the enforcement of conformity.

[yrrmom]

@CrossoverManiac Clearly you're far wiser than Orwell

[GambitFox79]

@CrossoverManiac Considering he's among the scarce few political writers in all history to have ever backed up his philosophies by risking his life to test them (shot in the neck in Barcelona, self-imposed poverty in London), I can only say wow, I think got dumber reading that post. Socialism is inherently liberal. Totalitarianism is inherently conservative. If you think socialism is a kiddy-ladder leading to communism, you've been watching way too much Glenn Beck.

[seigneurvoland666]

@CrossoverManiac false. voluntary socialism is possible.

[RussianBarbarian]

Great! All liberals/"libertarians" who think Orwell is a capitalist hero should listen to this. 1984 was his protest against the terror and propaganda he witnessed in Spain and the USSR, he was FOR equality, sharing wealth, democracy etc. He also stated that "American materialism is just as abhorrent as Russian authoritarianism". But free market extremists did a nice propaganda job by convincing everyone Orwell is their man... assholes.

[rcarass1]

very well narrated