What does socialism mean in 2010?

All five of Labour's leadership contenders said in a live televised debate that they would describe themselves as socialists.

Veteran Labour politician Tony Benn and the political editor of the New Statesman, Mehdi Hasan, tell Jeremy Paxman what they believe socialism means in 2010.

http://www.thedossier.info/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• socialism
• labour
• Tony Benn
• Mehdi Hasan

[bonfirejovi]

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.

[PrentissMcCabe]

@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]

FUCK YOU BENN

Your idiotic ideas are responsible for the 25% inflation, IMF bailout and winter of discontent of the 70s.

[PrentissMcCabe]

@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.

[halflifeproductionz]

holy shit, these guys would be shot in america.

[Feisty1967]

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.

[TheLiberalKnight]

@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.

[shurednichso]

@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.

[TheLiberalKnight]

@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.

[shurednichso]

@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 .

[taxiride1]

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.

[MrLovethelife]

@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....

[maclachj1]

@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.

[Taporeee]

Check Germany...