The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil. We see before us a huge community of producers the members of which are unceasingly striving to deprive each other of the fruits of their collective labour...I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.
- Albert Einstein, "Why Socialism?" (essay originally published in the first issue of Monthly Review, May 1949)
Socialism accepts... the principles, which are the cornerstones of democracy, that authority to justify its title , must rest on consent; that power is tolerable only so far as it is accountable to the public; and that differences of character and capacity between human beings, however important on their own plane, are of minor importance when compared with the capital fact of their common humanity. Its object is to extend the application of those principles from the sphere of civil and political rights, where, at present, they are nominally recognized, to that of economic and social organization, where they are systematically and insolently defied.
- Richard Henry Tawney, 1931, page 197
I am a Socialist not through reading a textbook that has caught my intellectual fancy, nor through unthinking tradition, but because I believe that, at its best, Socialism corresponds most closely to an existence that is both rational and moral. It stands for co-operation, not confrontation; for fellowship, not fear. It stands for equality, not because it wants people to be the same but because only through equality in our economic circumstances can our individuality develop properly.
- Hansard, House of Commons, 6th Series, vol. 45, col. 316. Maiden speech by Tony Blair as MP for Sedgefield, 6 July 1983.
Whether or not people believe in the practice of socialism, I hope that one day we can agree that a society of co-operation is preferable to a society of conflict.The issue is Socialism versus Capitalism. I am for Socialism because I am for humanity. We have been cursed with the reign of gold long enough. Money constitutes no proper basis of civilization. The time has come to regenerate society — we are on the eve of universal change.
- Eugene V. Debs, Open letter to the American Railway Union, Chicago Railway Times (January 1, 1897).
Money should be a means to an end, not the basis for anything. Every society should have human values as their basis... hence the Bill of Rights."From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need."
The essence of socialism... also the essence of not being a dick.Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property, is in reality instituted for the defense of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.
Adam Smith is considered one of the greatest economic experts in history and I think this is a wonderfully succinct explanation of the role of government. The question then becomes, to what extent should the "haves" be protected from the "have-nots?"Bureaucracy and social harmony are inversely proportional to each other.
This is for those who think that communism creates more bureaucracy than capitalism.It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to enslave a people that wants to remain free.
It is important to remember that people have to want to embrace social change. This begins with education and cannot be forced by a mandate by the state.No government, of its own motion, will increase its own weakness, for that would mean to acquiesce in its own destruction ... governments, whatever their pretensions otherwise, try to preserve themselves by holding the individual down ... Government itself, indeed, may be reasonably defined as a conspiracy against him. Its one permanent aim, whatever its form, is to hobble him sufficiently to maintain itself.
The problem to be solved is, not what form of government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect.
Recognizing that no form of government is infallible is the first step to creating a better government.Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.
This one is worth memorizing and considering in relation to every law.Economic history is a long record of government policies that failed because they were designed with a bold disregard for the laws of economics.
The number one law of economics I see consistently violated is the idea that wealth can be consolidated in the hands of the few. Money, like water, needs to spread in sufficient amounts to all members of society for that society to be economically healthy or the businesses undermine their consumer base, their work force, and long-term prosperity. The goal of modern economics is to make so much money that when the economy collapses, you can ride it out.Congress is so strange. A man gets up to speak and says nothing. Nobody listens and then everybody disagrees.
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.
A reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability.You can only govern men by serving them.
Any role of leadership should be viewed as a form of servitude. The only reason for leadership is to best serve those that are led.I know of no safe repository of the ultimate power of society but people. And if we think them not enlightened enough, the remedy is not to take the power from them, but to inform them by education.
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