Jimmie Higgins
31st January 2011, 08:16
In the latest International Socialist Review, Phil Gasper (who edited a great introductory/annotated version of the Communist Manifesto for Haymarket books) responds to the following arguments by a supporter of capitalism:
http://www.isreview.org/issues/75/gasper-awip.shtml
“I know 5 billion people that would love to have some work, albeit frustrating and unpleasant.
“I also know millions of people that would love to live a commodified existence instead of starving to death.
“If socialists believe they can feed the world better than capitalism can, they have to prove it.
“Either system requires humans to do work, including unpleasant work, to support society, whether it be coal mining, working in a meat -packing factory, or picking corn.
“Industries required to support human existence will never disappear. Mass production facilities are required to support 9 billion people. There will always be mundane, unpleasant work.
“Unfortunately, socialists have never had a way to price labor, goods, and commodities within a socialist economic system, because there is no market. Stalin looked to the West to find a price point.
“Nationalizing certain industries makes sense, but the success or failure still depends on capitalism, which is the source of ongoing revenue and taxation. You are back to square one.”
I thought comrades might find it useful since we seem to have fairly regular posts about dealing with pro-capitalist arguments on the Learning part of the forum. But maybe OI might be a better place.
http://www.isreview.org/issues/75/gasper-awip.shtml
“I know 5 billion people that would love to have some work, albeit frustrating and unpleasant.
“I also know millions of people that would love to live a commodified existence instead of starving to death.
“If socialists believe they can feed the world better than capitalism can, they have to prove it.
“Either system requires humans to do work, including unpleasant work, to support society, whether it be coal mining, working in a meat -packing factory, or picking corn.
“Industries required to support human existence will never disappear. Mass production facilities are required to support 9 billion people. There will always be mundane, unpleasant work.
“Unfortunately, socialists have never had a way to price labor, goods, and commodities within a socialist economic system, because there is no market. Stalin looked to the West to find a price point.
“Nationalizing certain industries makes sense, but the success or failure still depends on capitalism, which is the source of ongoing revenue and taxation. You are back to square one.”
I thought comrades might find it useful since we seem to have fairly regular posts about dealing with pro-capitalist arguments on the Learning part of the forum. But maybe OI might be a better place.