Steve Roth: Democracy. Capitalism. Socialism. Choose Any Three of the Above

Steve Roth writes about Democracy. Capitalism. Socialism. Choose Any Three of the Above.

None of this is to suggest that there is a political parity or symmetry among these anti-ists — at least in the United States. Anti-democrats are essentially invisible and voiceless, their message a fatal political non-starter. As for anti-capitalism, try naming one successful politician this side of the Seattle city council (one member) who even makes noises about “eradicating capitalism.” Certainly on a national stage, doing so would be political suicide. (The Bernie movement is, rather, all about the ubiquitous social institutions detailed above, and about pushbacks to corporate power within our heavily capitalistic system.) Anti-socialists, on the other hand, stand at the very pinnacles of power; their voices are manifold, loud, and widely broadcast.

But regardless of their relative political power, all of these these ill-considered, utopian, faith-based, tribalistic anti-isms are a bane on the body politic. At this point in our evolution, capitalism, socialism, and democracy are necessary for any country’s prosperity, economic freedom, and economic well-being. And they all need improvement — just as we’ve been fitfully improving things for hundreds, even thousands of years.

Emphasis Mine

Socialism has to develop out of Capitalism. This has to be a conscious development — Socialism is not inevitable. Socialism has to be chosen daily.

Democracy is vital for the functioning of Socialism and the eventual evolution to Communism.

There well may be residual pockets of Capitalism in a Socialist society as is now happening in Cuba. But the majority of the productive forces will be owned and managed by the people.