Is it possible to have an equal society with economic liberty?

Hasschu

This presentation by a Swedish Professor gives a very good over view of living conditions around the world. We have a lot of preconceived notions that are not based on reality. It is not Celto centric but we are magnanimous enough to overlook that.

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html

WalterMitty

WalterMitty wrote: »

Im not saying that. Just enough paid by rich western nations to bring the poorest countries up to a certain minimum standard where starvation and death from easily cured diseases is a thing of the past. The global economic system where people in west spend so much on unessential crap while millions doe every year from starvation and simpily cured disease is a damning indictment on the human race.

This might interest you. Not the best of track records though.

WalterMitty

Deleted User wrote: »

This might interest you. Not the best of track records though.

Yes because everything in the world is either/or , black/white

:rolleyes:

Gary L

I don't think Economics is an objective science. There I said it. It's far too concerned with the monetary system. It supposed to be about logically handling resources and living standards. Capitalism has flaws, big ones. Its not acceptable to me that academics could be so close minded to alternative solutions.

Économiste Monétaire

Gary L wrote: »

I don't think Economics is an objective science. There I said it. It's far too concerned with the monetary system. It supposed to be about logically handling resources and living standards. Capitalism has flaws, big ones. Its not acceptable to me that academics could be so close minded to alternative solutions.

To what level have you studied economics?

Joe1919

Gary L wrote: »

I don't think Economics is an objective science. There I said it. It's far too concerned with the monetary system. It supposed to be about logically handling resources and living standards. Capitalism has flaws, big ones. Its not acceptable to me that academics could be so close minded to alternative solutions.

" Most, probably, of our decisions to do something positive, the full consequences of which will be drawn out over many days to come, can only be taken as the result of animal spirits - a spontaneous urge to action rather than inaction, and not as the outcome of a weighted average of quantitative benefits multiplied by quantitative probabilities'.

John M Keynes, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money,

Akerlof has an interesting book that I just finished reading.
http://blogs.ft.com/crookblog/2009/02/book-review-animal-spirits-by-akerlof-and-shiller/

Gary L

I don't mean to insult economists, I honestly don't doubt the desire to help people. It's just that as a field of study, it holds the current system as reality rather than as an idea for how to run society. Many social habits of people that are inspired by the system are said to justify the system; Materialism, greed, corruption, class.

These realities of human life mean we couldn't ever have an egalitarian society? No, they are by-products of the systems damaging every man for himself philosophy.You have to admit we've all been living in capitalism since day 1 so there's a natural bias towards other ideas. You'd expect academics to look at the flaws of the greater system rather than rearranging deck chairs.

Time Magazine

Gary, to what level have you studied economics?

I really don't mean to be the arrogant hand-waving type, but I'm pretty sure you don't know what you're talking about.

A lot of people, and I mean a lot of people, assume that economics is the academic wing of Thatcherism. It's not.

Gary L

Studied it in secondary school and in college while I was there, had an active interest ever since. I'm not offended thats a fair question. Look I'm not aggressive about my ideas if I'm wrong I'd love to hear it. I'm not suggesting that there is a political drive in Economics, I'm saying that it isn't objective. The arguments I heard against Socialism in school don't hold up against the theory.
I honestly think Democratic Socialism is a theoretical system of societal organization that makes perfect sense. Please if you honestly understand the theory explain why it wouldn't work. Not Stalin or Mao, the theory of Democratic Socialism. No hostility, just think about it.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1471875736746417530&ei=ZgxtS8XLJ9TF-AaiiYzJBg&q=what+is+socialism&hl=en#
Interview with John Peterson, National Secretary of the Workers International League and editor of Socialist Appeal Magazine





Filmmaker Michael Moore on Capitalism: A Love Story

dentaku2

Gary, when you say you have an 'active interest' in economics, what does that entail? What sources of information do you consult?