Whenever #socialism is discussed, there’s a flurry of objections, claiming it’s unworkable and impractical. Many of these objections stem from misconceptions or outright falsehoods. One common misconception is that socialism lacks the capacity for #innovation. Let’s walk this path to see what we find.
Socioeconomic Systems and Innovation:
Firstly, let’s clarify something: capitalism, socialism, or any other “-ism” don’t inherently produce anything. Workers are the ones who create products and innovations. These “-isms” shape who gets paid and how resources are distributed. Under capitalism, the driving force for “innovation” is profit. If something isn’t profitable, in the end it won’t get funded, even if it is need to save lives or benefit wider society.
Socialism’s Driving Factors for Innovation:
In contrast, socialism builds for human need and creativity over profit. While some social surplus must be accounted for, it can be done without the profit-seeking motive. In a socialist system, innovation is driven by the #humanist desire to build social meaning and to meet simple societal needs to improve the quality of life in general, rather than lining the pockets of a few exploitative shareholders.
Public Sector and Innovation:
Not surprisingly, many of the innovations we rely on today came from government-funded projects, not the private sector. From touch screens to the internet, satellites to vaccines, much of the foundational research and development is done with public funding. This demonstrates that innovation isn’t something exclusive to capitalism; in fact, it happens in spite of it of the current mess.
Education, Innovation, and Profit:
Education is a crucial factor in fostering innovation, yet under capitalism, access to quality education is limited by financial barriers. In contrast, socialist policies prioritize free education at all levels, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to develop their creative potential and shared #humanism.
Automation and Capitalism:
#Automation, while promising greater productivity, poses a threat under capitalism. As machines replace human labour, workers are laid off, made poor, to cut costs and maximize profits. This leads to a paradox where increased productivity doesn’t benefit the people, as they lose their jobs and thus the purchasing power that drives capitalism in the first place, a mess.
Automation and Socialism:
In a socialist system, automation is used to reduce the need for human labour without displacing workers. Instead of working long hours, people enjoy shorter workdays while automation picks up the productivity slack. With human needs prioritized over profit, automation serve to benefit society as a whole.
Conclusion:
Socialism offers a viable alternative to capitalism’s shortcomings. By prioritizing human needs, fostering innovation through social investment, and ensuring horizontal access to education and resources, socialism lays the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future. Rather than succumbing to the limitations of capitalism, let’s explore the possibilities of a different world and work towards a society where innovation serves humanistic ends, not only profit for a few exploitative assholes.
To be a part of building this different world https://opencollective.com/open-media-network