by ~incubusroxmypanties

“The debate over which politico-economic system is the best, capitalism or socialism, has been going on for many years” (Darren).

Today we see capitalism a lot more than socialism. Most Americans believe capitalism is the way to go, it will bring our economy to flourish, and people who work hard will succeed. However, most socialist countries have free healthcare and great public education systems. So the real question becomes, would one rather choose the freedoms of the individual or the good of a community?

Capitalism works well for the working men, the rich and famous, and our wealthy corporations; however, it does nothing but harm the man who cannot find work, and the families who cannot afford healthcare. Do we let those citizens perish? Well that’s what social Darwinism would vouch for; however, the very foundation of our country, based off John Locke’s philosophies, would argue other wise.

John Locke believed that government’s only job is to protect our natural rights, which one of them happens to be none other than LIFE. Our right to live is undeniable and our government should protect that right. If our government lets families without healthcare perish, than we are destroying one of our core values!

“Capitalism means the complete separation of economy and state. Capitalism is the social system based upon private ownership of the means of production, which entails a completely uncontrolled and unregulated economy where all land is privately owned” (Darren). 

Although capitalism has its flaws it also gives back to the community. Unlike socialism, capitalism brings us low unemployment, low interest rates, high standards of living, and efficient companies that are implementing technology in high quality consumer products.

Socialism on the other hand, brings high unemployment. Capitalists argue that placing socialist systems in government will only result in high unemployment. However, socialists argue that the inequalities that exist in our society are unjust and that the minority of the population should not own the vast majority of the wealth.

“Socialists hold that capitalism is an illegitimate economic system that serves the interests of the wealthy and exploits the majority of the population. As such, they wish to replace it completely or at least make substantial modifications to it, in order to create a more just society that would reward hard work, guarantee a certain basic standard of living, and extend economic and cultural opportunities to all” (wikipedia).

Although both politico-economic systems have their flaws, I would still rather be a socialist. The interest of the community plays a huge role on individual happiness and therefore protects the individual. Capitalism does nothing but punish the population who cannot succeed. Capitalism is social Darwinism. The US created a dog eat dog world, it has embedded the idea of “survival of the fittest” in our government.