@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker Socialism is an ideology, and the development and implementation of that ideology is dependent on the material conditions in which it takes root. Socialist movements in a more equitable system than our current iteration of capitalism are more inclined towards moderate change
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker So we disagree about government in the markets. We're probably not changing each other's minds on that. I won't deny that there's studies going both ways on that policy, but 90% of western socialists like the DSA are happy with just returning to New Deal era politics for a while
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker I won't argue it's total ownership, but ESOPs like Publix exist, proving that it's still a competitive strategy to empower workers
Unions effectively democratized the workforces before being gutted
In Spain, Mondragon is a quite successful company as a 100% worker owned co-op
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker For having a comment earlier about how most socialists only have a basic understanding of things, you seem to have a very poor understanding of socialism
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker Socialism is worker ownership over the means of production, including property, that's the explicit definition. There are overlaps in the systems like market socialism, which is incredibly moderate and also what most Socialists would gladly support over the current system
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker High expenditure governance towards social programs, infrastructure, and investment in the private sector creates growth. We seem to agree on that
In capitalism, particularly in an import economy, how is that spending maintained if not taxation?
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker Worker ownership in a competitive market increases personal interest in the success of a company, while state social programs would help reduce costs and improve standard of living
This creates happier, healthier, more productive workers with more money to spend
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker If we're going to maintain a capitalist system, we should return to the policies of its golden age which we've strayed incredibly far from, yet any move to bring these back is often called "socialism" because it includes more involvement from the government
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker I'd consider myself more of a market socialism advocate which is primarily focused on worker ownership (not state) of businesses with the government offering support to help expand the middle class via expenditures like M4A, Social Security, and investment into the private sector
@Zapataptap@mycroftxxx42@homer42016@prem_thakker Agreed, it's not entirely about the taxes, but it is about the high government expenditure. National investments in the private sector and social welfare created the growth. That spending is driven by higher taxation which pays workers who spend the money
@Zapataptap@homer42016@prem_thakker Make it so the wealthy can't leverage their stocks to get loans. If they want to buy something, they should have to realize their gains so it can be taxed
Increase tax rate on that income over $5m/year (spit balling) to be more in line with that 90% number of old (i.e., 75%)
@mycroftxxx42@Zapataptap@homer42016@prem_thakker The expansion also occurred in nearly every prior economic powerhouse. Japan, France, Belgium, the UK, even Canada saw massive economic booms. The US benefitted the most, but nearly every country who adopted Keynesian economic policies benefitted greatly
@Zapataptap@homer42016@prem_thakker No
Depends
All of the money billionaires own is in private equity anyways so nothing would change without massive overhauls to the tax system that encourage the wealthy actually spending their money instead of hoarding it all as equity
@Zapataptap@homer42016@prem_thakker The fastest and greatest economic expansion in world history happened in the US as a result of high tax policies under FDR, Truman, and Eisenhower. This was immediately after a massive economic crisis caused by deregulation and reduced government spending
@aureumanic@anonatrisk Never heard of either of them and Fantano is bigger than both combined. Not defending him being a prick here, but he is massively popular