Thursday, March 5, 2020

Blind spot 2

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

A common misconception, in Alex's view, is that socialism and communism are completely different. But the former will lead to the latter because of . . simple human nature.

In theory, "the people" own the businesses, the means of production. No person owns his farm or shop. The people elect leaders who then control all "the people's" businesses, buying and selling ("centralized planning"). But leaders are still flawed human beings.

"Powerful elites take charge. This group, which usually consists of a charismatic individual and his politically loyal kleptocrats, becomes the true owners of the means of production. They exist largely to serve themselves, so voices of opposition must be suppressed. Free speech is abandoned and, eventually, fair elections are too."

To hang on to their power, elites get more oppresssive. "The people" must be controlled. Individual persons must fall in line. "The people" gave their freedoms away and live to regret it.

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