socialism has become a dirty word these days. To me, it means fairness and democracy for everyone and a fair distribution of wealth. I can't honestly say that we have a fair distribution of wealth in this country, when the Conservative government is capping benefits, they seem to attack the most poorest and vulnerable people in society first and protect the middle and upper classes.
If socialism means anything it means being able to bring society together and whatever is going wrong saying that wouldn't happen with socialism. In reality socialists are just very stupid people spending with capitalism's credit card.
@axelasdf fascism: the state exists to wage war and bring it's country glory. The strongest will survive. To this end the people submit themselves to the state.
Democracy: Nothing quite like 51% taking away from 49%. Socialism: As long as we think it's good for society as a whole, we'll do it. Constitutionally Restricted Republic: Keep the powers of the government restricted to keep tyranny at bay. Fascism: What's best for the people that fund and advertise the politicians, do it while making it look like it's in the public's good. Corrections welcome.
@maclachj1 Are you sure you don't mean Capitalism? Because thats the exact system you're talking about, i work to have no say in my work place, i don't get paid enough and worse off i only get to vote every 5 years and it doesn't even make a difference. I used to think Socialism was a joke but i realised that was Capitalist propaganda telling me that! Capitalism doesn't work, bankers ruin the economy and get rewarded, me and my wife (she was a support teacher) get made redundant...
@MrLovethelife I grant you that sir. But the speed at which socialism redistributes wealth and kills the golden goose is quite unparalleled. We have run out of money and without an engine, we have even less than we have now. Socialism cares little for wealth generation and all for spending. We all benefited from cheap money and excessive public spending. But now it's all gone and we have to start again. I hope you and your wife find employment soon.
@maclachj1 But the wealth is there now, we have 1% of our country owning 24% of the entire wealth with the bottom 50% owning less than 10% of the wealth. I think the working people, who put the 1% into their position through their labour, should have the wealth as well and collective we could decide on allocation and resources. Thanks, i do still have job ( i should of made that clear) but yes the search remain's for the wife, it looks bleak....
i dont understand why western people still adhere to socialism.. maybe because they have not lived under a socialist regime in their life so they fantasize about it...
I lived in a socialist regime in eastern europe and i swear i will never want to go back to socialism. there is no freedom, everyone is equal - equally poor. chocolates are rationed by the state and only allowed us to have 4 bars of chocolate a month. there is no security because you cannot trust anybody.
@NewRuss2011 - You didn't live in a socialist regime. Eastern Europe was never socialist. You lived under a Stalinist dictatorship. There's an important difference.
They may have called themselves socialists, but I take it you didn't believe anything else they said, so why believe that?
@yoyuepz yeah, right, that's an argument. Where did you live that was socialist? Because as far as I'm aware there have been no socialist societies as yet.
@losttango because you live in a dream world and do not understand what life is about. Not to worry keep dreaming and hoping and see where it gets you in life.
@yoyuepz You really don't understand the concept of rational argument, do you? Presumably the education system in whatever Stalinist regime you grew up under is to blame.
@yoyuepz A lot of people are under the misconception that LOL means "laugh out loud". In fact it stands for "I'm an idiot and I don't care who knows it". Counterintuitive I know, given the spelling, but there you have it. Iron law.
Word wide crisis of the capitalist systems, countrys on the brink of chaos, people losing their future and you come here to say socialism means bankruptcy?
@shurednichso Socialism is what caused this problem in the first place. Socialism for the rich. Failure and bank failure would have been allowed under capitalism. Instead, the socialist leaders of the west have no allowed anyone to fail- including Greece- which means the problem will last longer, and it will be more painful.
You dont even know what socialism in an economy mean. It is so typical with u indoctrinated clowns. Never a fault of your closeminded worldview, it is allways the "enemy" , the commies everywhere. Tiresome to even listen.
@shurednichso Oh yes I do, I was a socialist for years myself. I think it is infact you who are misinformed, about capitalism. If the 2008 collapse was a failure of capitalism, you need to explain why this didn't happen in the Victorian age, when financial regulation didn't even exist.
They aren't the same they are simmilar in many ways but still not the same!!! If you want to be communist you will loose everything an own everything. Socialists on the other hand give everything and get back evrything they need .
Socialism is to Communism as Conservatism is to Fascism. They are not the same. Socialism is by it's very nature is democratic as is conservatism despite it's flaws. You can decry people of the left as commies if you want but it is inaccurate and wrong. Just like calling anyone with a conservative bent a nazi.
Tony Benn seems to equate socialism with democracy. The problem is that there are several issues on which the majority of people are right-wing. Immigration is the biggest one. The business press is always pro-immigration whereas the papers read by "ordinary, working people" are rabidly anti-immigration.
@Coolguyrob2006@WhoIsBaz Socialism IS democracy, except it is true economic/labour democracy and not just who decides is in charge of our very limited political system at any given time.
Watch/read Noam Chomsky on the subject if you're genuinely interested and open--minded.
@comanchio1976 No I was just making the point that the ideology of 'social democracy' is not the same as the ideology of 'socialism'. And many parties that say are socialist (labour party) are just social democrats.
So politicians are professional liars uttering ‘noises they have to make’ to con people into voting for them and peddling the illusion of choice – while at the same time super wealthy psychopaths in the IMF etc are the real controllers and pull all the important strings in unelected secret? Is this democracy as it stands today?
there is a different between capitalist and cooperation just like theres a difference between socialism and communism. I believe in free capitalism because i believe that with a small government and lower taxes gives the greatest chance of equality of opportunistic. Thats got nothing to do with corporatism. The main cause of cooperation is the wealthy influencing governments to limit competition through regulation which is a problem of corruption.
if you are not at all socialist then you lost your humanity! today, in capitalism, corporations control people and what corporation want..profit, money!! it's true happiness and welfare what people want, some people realize that just before they die because they can't take everything to the grave. too much greed...
It is amusing how modern socialist go on about democracy (mob rules) when it has been mostly the capitalist countries BY FAR that had democracy and not the commies.
@bonfirejovi Err, isn't it capitalist countries that subvert the will of people in south america, africa, far east, etc.? Democracy = mob rule? What the hell are you going on about? You think people are a mob? Maybe you'd like Nazi Germany or fascist italy where corporations rule? Besides, in a true democracy you'd have a proper FREE press, not one set in a monopoly, ie. Murdoch. Keep on watching Beck and O'Reilly, that's 'real unbalanced' journalism.
@bonfirejovi I'm assuming you mean the so-called Communist countries like the Soviet Union or China, which were in actual fact state capitalist. China is so self-evidently state capitalist that no sane person can deny this fact.
@bonfirejovi jesus, so many people, including you, think that socialism, means communism. GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING.
@bonfirejovi and socialists aren't communists, why is that so hard to grasp for so many people, especially Americans, they are two different things COMPLETELY!
@bonfirejovi If Attlee's spending spree had never happened, it was entirely poaaible that another sort of revolution may have occurred in the country. One that you have liked even less. The country was destroyed man; Germany kneecapped our currency by counterfeiting, massive housing shortage, crippling debt, sky-high unemployment and a million trained soldiers demobbed. What do you think would have happened? Attlees's government kept the country together. You owe him your thanks not derision
@bonfirejovi Hang on a minute Mr Bon "hairdresser in a helicopter" Jovi, during 73-74 there was a major stock market crash that started in capitalist America, this was also compounded by the 1973 oil crisis due to america's support of Israel. And, there was a conservative government during 70-74. Let's have a little context to your rantings.
@bonfirejovi The thought occurs that you have actually no idea what happened in the 70's due to the fact that actually you weren't alive. By 79 the economy was on the mend. By Midpoint 1980 unemployment had doubled, inflation had doubled and the money supply decreased. The suffering caused was immense and the UK economy maimed to this day. Blair was Thatcher-lite, so whose pollicies have held the most sway the last 30 years? Not socialist ones that's for sure.
Ed Balls is'nt a socialist. He's New Labour through and through. It's Blair, Mandleson and the rest of those wankers, including Ed's got no Balls, who are responsible for turning democracy's greatest development - Socialism - into a political taboo, "The 's' word". I am a socialist and proud to say it loud.
holy shit, these guys would be shot in america.
halflifeproductionz 6 days ago
socialism has become a dirty word these days. To me, it means fairness and democracy for everyone and a fair distribution of wealth. I can't honestly say that we have a fair distribution of wealth in this country, when the Conservative government is capping benefits, they seem to attack the most poorest and vulnerable people in society first and protect the middle and upper classes.
Feisty1967 2 weeks ago
If socialism means anything it means being able to bring society together and whatever is going wrong saying that wouldn't happen with socialism. In reality socialists are just very stupid people spending with capitalism's credit card.
taxiride1 2 months ago
Check Germany...
Taporeee 3 months ago
@axelasdf fascism: the state exists to wage war and bring it's country glory. The strongest will survive. To this end the people submit themselves to the state.
MomSaysImCool 3 months ago
Democracy: Nothing quite like 51% taking away from 49%. Socialism: As long as we think it's good for society as a whole, we'll do it. Constitutionally Restricted Republic: Keep the powers of the government restricted to keep tyranny at bay. Fascism: What's best for the people that fund and advertise the politicians, do it while making it look like it's in the public's good. Corrections welcome.
axelasdf 3 months ago
socialism = you do the hard work and we'll spend your taxes for the greater good till we prove the system doesn't work
maclachj1 3 months ago
@maclachj1 Are you sure you don't mean Capitalism? Because thats the exact system you're talking about, i work to have no say in my work place, i don't get paid enough and worse off i only get to vote every 5 years and it doesn't even make a difference. I used to think Socialism was a joke but i realised that was Capitalist propaganda telling me that! Capitalism doesn't work, bankers ruin the economy and get rewarded, me and my wife (she was a support teacher) get made redundant...
MrLovethelife 3 months ago
@MrLovethelife I grant you that sir. But the speed at which socialism redistributes wealth and kills the golden goose is quite unparalleled. We have run out of money and without an engine, we have even less than we have now. Socialism cares little for wealth generation and all for spending. We all benefited from cheap money and excessive public spending. But now it's all gone and we have to start again. I hope you and your wife find employment soon.
maclachj1 2 months ago
@maclachj1 But the wealth is there now, we have 1% of our country owning 24% of the entire wealth with the bottom 50% owning less than 10% of the wealth. I think the working people, who put the 1% into their position through their labour, should have the wealth as well and collective we could decide on allocation and resources. Thanks, i do still have job ( i should of made that clear) but yes the search remain's for the wife, it looks bleak....
MrLovethelife 2 months ago
Mehdi Hassan is a tit.
dezboss 4 months ago
Tony Benn is such a shit.
finchy633 4 months ago
i dont understand why western people still adhere to socialism.. maybe because they have not lived under a socialist regime in their life so they fantasize about it...
I lived in a socialist regime in eastern europe and i swear i will never want to go back to socialism. there is no freedom, everyone is equal - equally poor. chocolates are rationed by the state and only allowed us to have 4 bars of chocolate a month. there is no security because you cannot trust anybody.
it is terrible system.
NewRuss2011 5 months ago
@NewRuss2011 - You didn't live in a socialist regime. Eastern Europe was never socialist. You lived under a Stalinist dictatorship. There's an important difference.
They may have called themselves socialists, but I take it you didn't believe anything else they said, so why believe that?
losttango 4 months ago
@losttango my family did and believe me its PATHETIC! I dislike socialism to the core! All it does it destory, Long time Milton friedman!
yoyuepz 4 months ago
@yoyuepz yeah, right, that's an argument. Where did you live that was socialist? Because as far as I'm aware there have been no socialist societies as yet.
losttango 4 months ago
@losttango because you live in a dream world and do not understand what life is about. Not to worry keep dreaming and hoping and see where it gets you in life.
yoyuepz 4 months ago
@yoyuepz You really don't understand the concept of rational argument, do you? Presumably the education system in whatever Stalinist regime you grew up under is to blame.
losttango 3 months ago
@losttango LOL, just proves I must be pissing you off ;) which is my stragetic aim! Thanks it worked and be gone!
yoyuepz 3 months ago
Comment removed
losttango 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@yoyuepz A lot of people are under the misconception that LOL means "laugh out loud". In fact it stands for "I'm an idiot and I don't care who knows it". Counterintuitive I know, given the spelling, but there you have it. Iron law.
losttango 3 months ago
Benn is a fuckin' legend
TheKenfig 5 months ago 3
Bankruptcy.
TheLiberalKnight 5 months ago
@TheLiberalKnight
Word wide crisis of the capitalist systems, countrys on the brink of chaos, people losing their future and you come here to say socialism means bankruptcy?
Indoctrinated Neocons are so funny .
shurednichso 3 weeks ago
@shurednichso Socialism is what caused this problem in the first place. Socialism for the rich. Failure and bank failure would have been allowed under capitalism. Instead, the socialist leaders of the west have no allowed anyone to fail- including Greece- which means the problem will last longer, and it will be more painful.
TheLiberalKnight 3 weeks ago
@TheLiberalKnight
You dont even know what socialism in an economy mean. It is so typical with u indoctrinated clowns. Never a fault of your closeminded worldview, it is allways the "enemy" , the commies everywhere. Tiresome to even listen.
shurednichso 3 weeks ago
@shurednichso Oh yes I do, I was a socialist for years myself. I think it is infact you who are misinformed, about capitalism. If the 2008 collapse was a failure of capitalism, you need to explain why this didn't happen in the Victorian age, when financial regulation didn't even exist.
TheLiberalKnight 3 weeks ago
They aren't the same they are simmilar in many ways but still not the same!!! If you want to be communist you will loose everything an own everything. Socialists on the other hand give everything and get back evrything they need .
AllenR142 5 months ago
Socialism is to Communism as Conservatism is to Fascism. They are not the same. Socialism is by it's very nature is democratic as is conservatism despite it's flaws. You can decry people of the left as commies if you want but it is inaccurate and wrong. Just like calling anyone with a conservative bent a nazi.
densaner77 6 months ago
a socialist government sets up in the desert......not much happens for a while and then there is a shortage of sand
ukipwarrior 6 months ago
@ukipwarrior LOL!
erelpc 6 months ago
Tony Benn seems to equate socialism with democracy. The problem is that there are several issues on which the majority of people are right-wing. Immigration is the biggest one. The business press is always pro-immigration whereas the papers read by "ordinary, working people" are rabidly anti-immigration.
WhoIsBaz 7 months ago
@WhoIsBaz Drep Derp
duracell777 5 months ago
@duracell777 derp derp derp derp derp!
WhoIsBaz 5 months ago
Social democracy is not socialism
Coolguyrob2006 8 months ago
@Coolguyrob2006 @WhoIsBaz Socialism IS democracy, except it is true economic/labour democracy and not just who decides is in charge of our very limited political system at any given time.
Watch/read Noam Chomsky on the subject if you're genuinely interested and open--minded.
comanchio1976 6 months ago
@comanchio1976 No I was just making the point that the ideology of 'social democracy' is not the same as the ideology of 'socialism'. And many parties that say are socialist (labour party) are just social democrats.
Coolguyrob2006 6 months ago
@Coolguyrob2006 Ah right, now I see...sorry. It's so damn easy to misconstrue things on these here internets...that's my excuse anyway!;)
comanchio1976 6 months ago
So politicians are professional liars uttering ‘noises they have to make’ to con people into voting for them and peddling the illusion of choice – while at the same time super wealthy psychopaths in the IMF etc are the real controllers and pull all the important strings in unelected secret? Is this democracy as it stands today?
ehpl 9 months ago
I loved how Paxman shouted all of a sudden.
324wilson 9 months ago
there is a different between capitalist and cooperation just like theres a difference between socialism and communism. I believe in free capitalism because i believe that with a small government and lower taxes gives the greatest chance of equality of opportunistic. Thats got nothing to do with corporatism. The main cause of cooperation is the wealthy influencing governments to limit competition through regulation which is a problem of corruption.
toberses11 9 months ago
if you are not at all socialist then you lost your humanity! today, in capitalism, corporations control people and what corporation want..profit, money!! it's true happiness and welfare what people want, some people realize that just before they die because they can't take everything to the grave. too much greed...
evilhammer88 10 months ago
It is amusing how modern socialist go on about democracy (mob rules) when it has been mostly the capitalist countries BY FAR that had democracy and not the commies.
bonfirejovi 1 year ago
@bonfirejovi Err, isn't it capitalist countries that subvert the will of people in south america, africa, far east, etc.? Democracy = mob rule? What the hell are you going on about? You think people are a mob? Maybe you'd like Nazi Germany or fascist italy where corporations rule? Besides, in a true democracy you'd have a proper FREE press, not one set in a monopoly, ie. Murdoch. Keep on watching Beck and O'Reilly, that's 'real unbalanced' journalism.
PrentissMcCabe 1 year ago 15
@PrentissMcCabe The industry is controlled by the state in Fascism, therefore Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy were not capitalistic countries.
in3x 4 months ago
@bonfirejovi look up socialism and then look up communism, then delete this comment xx
MrNicks86 1 year ago
@bonfirejovi Republican government is not democracy. It's representative democracy, which is democratic but its not democracy.
Tougemaster06 11 months ago
@bonfirejovi I'm assuming you mean the so-called Communist countries like the Soviet Union or China, which were in actual fact state capitalist. China is so self-evidently state capitalist that no sane person can deny this fact.
jayodoom 9 months ago
@bonfirejovi jesus, so many people, including you, think that socialism, means communism. GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING.
Threepwoodist 6 months ago
@bonfirejovi and socialists aren't communists, why is that so hard to grasp for so many people, especially Americans, they are two different things COMPLETELY!
Threepwoodist 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@bonfirejovi you just don't know what you are talking about.
Threepwoodist 3 months ago
Wait a minute.... Labour has never been socialist??? So the 70s never happened??? Attlees nationalising spree never happened???
Unless by socialist he means communist Labour until New Labour has always been socialist idiots.
bonfirejovi 1 year ago
@bonfirejovi If Attlee's spending spree had never happened, it was entirely poaaible that another sort of revolution may have occurred in the country. One that you have liked even less. The country was destroyed man; Germany kneecapped our currency by counterfeiting, massive housing shortage, crippling debt, sky-high unemployment and a million trained soldiers demobbed. What do you think would have happened? Attlees's government kept the country together. You owe him your thanks not derision
sonofcy 1 year ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
FUCK YOU BENN
Your idiotic ideas are responsible for the 25% inflation, IMF bailout and winter of discontent of the 70s.
bonfirejovi 1 year ago
@bonfirejovi Hang on a minute Mr Bon "hairdresser in a helicopter" Jovi, during 73-74 there was a major stock market crash that started in capitalist America, this was also compounded by the 1973 oil crisis due to america's support of Israel. And, there was a conservative government during 70-74. Let's have a little context to your rantings.
PrentissMcCabe 1 year ago 10
@bonfirejovi The thought occurs that you have actually no idea what happened in the 70's due to the fact that actually you weren't alive. By 79 the economy was on the mend. By Midpoint 1980 unemployment had doubled, inflation had doubled and the money supply decreased. The suffering caused was immense and the UK economy maimed to this day. Blair was Thatcher-lite, so whose pollicies have held the most sway the last 30 years? Not socialist ones that's for sure.
sonofcy 1 year ago
Ed Balls is'nt a socialist. He's New Labour through and through. It's Blair, Mandleson and the rest of those wankers, including Ed's got no Balls, who are responsible for turning democracy's greatest development - Socialism - into a political taboo, "The 's' word". I am a socialist and proud to say it loud.
bagzie 1 year ago 2
@bagzie Actually if you remember, the 70s and Michael Foot made "socialism" a dirty word.
bonfirejovi 1 year ago