Politics and Economics: The Connection

[dmcauliffe09]

This may seem like a question with an obvious answer, but I must ask nonetheless. I was recently attempting to answer the question "can socialism be established through democracy?" when I came upon an even more pressing question: what is the connection between the government and the big business capitalists? By this I mean to say, under socialism, the means of production are controlled by the proletariat. But the means of production are a separate entity from the government, as are the capitalists who own them. I determined that the connection between capitalists and politicians is that politicians, many of whom are capitalists, seek to protect the capitalist system because of the potential losses they would face under a system in which the working class holds the power. This, however, does not satisfy me. Is there a such thing as "political" socialism? If socialism is an economic system based on common ownership by the proletariat, what other connections does it have to the government? I have come to the conclusion that "political" socialism is nothing other than a pure democracy, i.e., a democracy in which the people have a direct voice in the goings-on of the community, as opposed to a "representative" democracy. And a pure democracy can only be established if the proletariat is in full control of their own economic status.

HOWEVER, I would like to hear some other ideas as well, because I think this question is important. So...ideas?:confused::D

[cyu]

can socialism be established through democracy?
I think a related question is: can democracy be established without socialism?

If you tried to implement economic equality without political equality, then those with political power will use it to get economic perks for themselves.

If you tried to implement political equality without economic equality, then those with economic power will use it to buy political power (bribes, campaign contributions, ownership of the mass media).

[Lumber Joe]

Political stability is absolutely necessary for economics development. However practice shows that democracy is not necessary for growth. It develops very well under totalitarian rule.

[ckaihatsu]

revolutionary policy *solution* (SOCIALIST SUPPLY & DEMAND)

http://www.revleft.com/vb/blog.php?b=275


communist economy diagram

http://tinyurl.com/bom9ca


Supply prioritization in a socialist transitional economy

http://tinyurl.com/5mjhhh


communist supply & demand -- Economic balance sheet

http://tinyurl.com/c6wzw9


communist supply & demand -- Political balance sheet

http://tinyurl.com/cy5ypy


Affinity Group Workflow Tracker

http://tinyurl.com/yvn2xq




--




--
___

RevLeft.com -- Home of the Revolutionary Left
www.revleft.com/vb/member.php?u=16162

Photoillustrations, Political Diagrams by Chris Kaihatsu
community.webshots.com/user/ckaihatsu/

3D Design Communications - Let Your Design Do Your Footwork
ckaihatsu.elance.com

MySpace:
myspace.com/ckaihatsu

CouchSurfing:
tinyurl.com/yoh74u


-- Of all the Marxists in a roomful of people, I'm the Wilde-ist. --