To Culture, from Economics

[Secret Chief]

So yea, as a progressive socialist I do feel kind of glum about the prevalent atmosphere in my country.

I assumed you were a Brit, given the glumness.

How far Austria has fallen, then.

 

[Tambourine]

I think racism, nationalism, and capitalism share a certain commonality in that they're all somewhat rooted in social Darwinism and the idea that "only the strong shall survive." They ostensibly believe in a "natural right" for the strong, powerful, and wealthy to dominate and rule over the weak, powerless, and impoverished.

Today's capitalists tend to argue that they support a kinder, gentler, sanitized version of capitalism which doesn't involve exploitation, slavery, racism, abuse, sweatshops, cheating, lying, corruption, or anything bad at all. Some might even claim to be liberals and enlightened, yet they still seem to display a similar superior attitude when they decide they know what's best for all the "little people."

In relation to that, I found this Youtube video very enlightening, as it really opens up the conservative ideology to take a look at the fundamental belief system behind it:

 

[Stevicus]

Vienna used to be the model city for a democratic socialism, and people are still proud of the welfare system the Austrian Social Democratic government pushed through.

I also recall that Vienna was the center of the Metternich system, which valued arch-conservative ideals and the preservation of the status quo in Europe, but it led to multiple revolutions occurring in 1848, which led to more zealous forms of nationalism rising to the surface.

Austria - The Age of Metternich, 1815–48

 

[Tambourine]

I also recall that Vienna was the center of the Metternich system, which valued arch-conservative ideals and the preservation of the status quo in Europe, but it led to multiple revolutions occurring in 1848, which led to more zealous forms of nationalism rising to the surface.

Austria - The Age of Metternich, 1815–48

That was before people were allowed to vote, though. Vienna has been "Red Vienna" since 1919.

 

[Secret Chief]

Today's capitalists tend to argue that they support a kinder, gentler, sanitized version of capitalism which doesn't involve exploitation, slavery, racism, abuse, sweatshops, cheating, lying, corruption, or anything bad at all. Some might even claim to be liberals and enlightened, yet they still seem to display a similar superior attitude when they decide they know what's best for all the "little people."

I'm amazed at how brazen they are, hardly even attempting to hide their true colours and background. Yet look at their success historically; voted for by the very people who will get shafted.

 

[Secret Chief]

In relation to that, I found this Youtube video very enlightening, as it really opens up the conservative ideology to take a look at the fundamental belief system behind it:

Excellent video, Mr Danskin.

(was that Jordan P******* holding the lobsters )

 

[Stevicus]

In relation to that, I found this Youtube video very enlightening, as it really opens up the conservative ideology to take a look at the fundamental belief system behind it:

That's an interesting video. It points up something that I've addressed as well, the idea that society "needs the rich" and that the rich "earned" their high position in society. It compared the right-wing's complaint about paying burger flippers $15 an hour while concurrently believing the Jeff Bezos deserves $11 million per hour.

I started a thread a while back which was a challenge to capitalists to prove that these wealthy people actually "earned" their wealth and that they actually "deserve" to have that much and should therefore be entitled to be exempt from having to pay taxes on it. There were plenty of cranky responses, but no one could actually rise to the challenge, show their work, and prove mathematically that these capitalists were actually "worth" that much money. By all rights, they should, since they somehow believe that economics is not a social science, but rather an exact science with absolute precision.

 

[Estro Felino]

That's an interesting video. It points up something that I've addressed as well, the idea that society "needs the rich" and that the rich "earned" their high position in society. It compared the right-wing's complaint about paying burger flippers $15 an hour while concurrently believing the Jeff Bezos deserves $11 million per hour.

I started a thread a while back which was a challenge to capitalists to prove that these wealthy people actually "earned" their wealth and that they actually "deserve" to have that much and should therefore be entitled to be exempt from having to pay taxes on it. There were plenty of cranky responses, but no one could actually rise to the challenge, show their work, and prove mathematically that these capitalists were actually "worth" that much money. By all rights, they should, since they somehow believe that economics is not a social science, but rather an exact science with absolute precision.

The monetary circuit is the basis of our economy. Money must circulate continuously...and rich Capitalists invest money in enterprises which will hire employees. These employees will buy goods and services (produced by the mentioned enterprises).
What happens if bankers get richer and richer? They take away money from the monetary circuit ...and without money rich Capitalists won't be able to invest in enterprises.
Anyone but bankers will become poorer and poorer.