Greed is Good

[Laika]

Greetings Enemies of the People! (Sorry, force of habit )

I'm still very unsure how to proceed but as I think Socialism is necessarily Totalitarian, it seems unlikely my views are going to shift back to the left anytime soon. It also makes supporting even moderate forms of socialism a bit hypocritical and requires a much longer look at Capitalism.

I have read Ayn Rand's "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" and I don't like the absolutism of it, but it did make some interesting points about the contradictory nature of a mixed economy. The need for logical consistency does make it harder to argue for a "pragmatic" compromise between Socialism and Capitalism if only one of theose systems actually makes people free. I probably still come under "state capitalism" for using this sub-forum but you have to start somewhere.

So, as weird as this feels, I'm wondering what advice you would have for a recent convert to free market capitalism? How does someone begin investing their political opinions in Wall Street?

NOW £NT£RING CAPITALI$T ONLY $UB-FORUM
B£WAR£: MON£Y $HOW£R IN PROGR£$$

 

[Father]

 

[Father]

Greetings Enemies of the People! (Sorry, force of habit )

I'm still very unsure how to proceed but as I think Socialism is necessarily Totalitarian, it seems unlikely my views are going to shift back to the left anytime soon. It also makes supporting even moderate forms of socialism a bit hypocritical and requires a much longer look at Capitalism.

I have read Ayn Rand's "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" and I don't like the absolutism of it, but it did make some interesting points about the contradictory nature of a mixed economy. The need for logical consistency does make it harder to argue for a "pragmatic" compromise between Socialism and Capitalism if only one of theose systems actually makes people free. I probably still come under "state capitalism" for using this sub-forum but you have to start somewhere.

So, as weird as this feels, I'm wondering what advice you would have for a recent convert to free market capitalism? How does someone begin investing their political opinions in Wall Street?

NOW £NT£RING CAPITALI$T ONLY $UB-FORUM
B£WAR£: MON£Y $HOW£R IN PROGR£$$

There is a Light Novel series if you are into reading that is quite interesting. its sort of a Midevial Economics woven into a Romance Novel. called Spice&Wolf. really economics has not changed very much since then. Capitalism is the second oldest system of Economics besides collectivism or a base form of communism that applied when we were in village's that rarely interacted with others.

so learning about the Old systems of Capitalism would possibly help mone with our current one.

Truthfully until we have robots do everything for us and we can just sit back and do what we want, a mix of Socialism and Capitalism is probably the best way. however, socialism only functions well if you have no Welfare parasites like we do here in America. it can only function if everyone is taxed justly and everyone works. but its so prone to corruption and idiots running it that pure free market capitalism is probably the most safe bet.

 

[Augustus]

I have read Ayn Rand's "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" and I don't like the absolutism of it, but it did make some interesting points about the contradictory nature of a mixed economy.

Probably better reading Hayek for a more enlightened view and advocacy of healthcare, social security within a free market system. Maybe you have already though due to his criticisms of collectivism.

 

[Laika]

Probably better reading Hayek for a more enlightened view and advocacy of healthcare, social security within a free market system. Maybe you have already though due to his criticisms of collectivism.

I have read the Road to Serfdom a few years ago. I will probably be reading some more of Hayek's stuff as he did make some intelligent observations about Socialism. So its good advice.

There is a Light Novel series if you are into reading that is quite interesting. its sort of a Midevial Economics woven into a Romance Novel. called Spice&Wolf. really economics has not changed very much since then. Capitalism is the second oldest system of Economics besides collectivism or a base form of communism that applied when we were in village's that rarely interacted with others.

so learning about the Old systems of Capitalism would possibly help mone with our current one.

It certainly looks like the older forms of Capitalism were much more ambitious and self-confident than what we have now. So I will look in to it.

Truthfully until we have robots do everything for us and we can just sit back and do what we want, a mix of Socialism and Capitalism is probably the best way. however, socialism only functions well if you have no Welfare parasites like we do here in America. it can only function if everyone is taxed justly and everyone works. but its so prone to corruption and idiots running it that pure free market capitalism is probably the most safe bet.

Robotics probably will mean we have to make changes to the economic system with a modified form of capitalism or else "socialism" of some sort. That's not going to happen for at least a few decades though.

Most welfare recipients are often victims of circumstances beyond their control and are not directly responsible for, but that doesn't mean writing a blank cheque for them works either. You have to find ways to help people help themselves and that can be made harder if people feel entitled to something without actually working for it. Its debatable if that's a consequence of social security or consumerism raises people's expectations, but either way the basic problem is still there.

Socialism requires an unusual combination of virtues that are often driven by a high degree of individuality, non-conformity and hedonism. In some cases Socialism is really about entitlement and wanting more stuff and there is definitely a current of the New Left that is driven by that. When Middle Class Students approach Socialism, it often comes with a hefty amount of narcissism and self-righteousness that sabotages larger efforts to improve conditions.

Its much less obvious when you're dealing with the more intellectual side of Socialist theory however. Most people want to do good because it "feels good" but then it gets complicated into turning "doing good" into an obligation. The idea that everyone can be "forced" into sharing with one another is a dead end (often literally). Whatever the "good intentions" may be behind the use of violence and state power under Socialism, it is not typically conducive to "educating" people in to being virtuous and often has the opposite effect because survival instincts kick in. Very often the intentions of Socialism do not lead to the expected consequences because they value the good intentions more. That can really blind people to what it actually does.

 

[Revoltingest]

You can invest in stock funds which have social goals too.
Mrs Revolt & I do.

After watching the documentary, Mr Robot, we won't invest in Evilcorp.
(Like the name though.)

 

[jeanie]

Greed promotes advancement.
sooo, yes in a way in order for our world to evolve, greed is a motivating factor!

 

[Ultimatum]

Greed, if it is controlled, is indifferent to "good" or "bad".

I used to work under an employer but eventually managed to secure a loan to start up my own practice in my area. Why? Returns, mostly. Time management secondarily.

I was greedy, but now people can come to me and have their teeth checked and sorted. I was greedy, and now they can access a new service in the area.

Win-Win.