No, Socialism Isn’t Just More Government

[Gregorian]

For those interested in improving our society, this article does a solid job of describing and explaining what must happen. It also makes the important distinction between things like libraries versus police, in terms of just what defines those which benefit the people. It's an important article for anyone who wants to understand the foundation of what we are, and what we can be.


Economic power is political power, and under capitalism the owners of capital will always have the capacity to undermine popular democracy — no matter who’s in Congress or the White House.

Winning government power and using it to break the dominance of the capitalist class is a necessary condition for beginning the transition to socialism. A government run by a socialist party (or a coalition of left and working-class parties) would move to bring the economy’s key industries and enterprises under some form of social control. But that alone wouldn’t be sufficient. The bitter experiences of the twentieth century have taught us that socialism won’t further the cause of human freedom if the political and administrative structures of government aren’t thoroughly democratized.

Here is where continued popular mobilization outside (and, if necessary, against) formal political structures becomes absolutely crucial. In order to withstand the inevitable backlash from capitalist and conservative forces, a socialist transition would need to draw on mass popular support and direct participation in the affairs of government.

This would entail not only creating directly democratic bodies that supplant or complement representative institutions like Congress, but dramatically overhauling state agencies and administrative structures. Such an expansion of popular power would be needed to both push out personnel committed to the old regime and to transform the often alienating and repressive bureaucracies that currently administer public services.

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/01/democratic-socialism-government-bernie-sanders-primary-president/

[AforB]

1. democratic socialism

There are certain things in a "society" that require socialism. Education, health care, and I would go further to say that all types of insurance should be controlled by the people not capitalists. The democratic part of democratic socialism is capitalism What we have now is untethered capitalism much like a sporting event with no referees. Having the 3rd team on the field makes sure that everyone plays by the rules and are penalized when they don't.

Make sure you understand the difference

[Gregorian]

2. Hello, and welcome!

Thanks.

My first post was a plea to impeach Bush. Haha.