What is the best Social Theory and Why?
I am aware on the basics of capitalism, democracy, communism, and socialism, but I want to hear the arguments that say which one is the better one. I had a feeling that socialism was the better way, but that was shot to hell in a discussion I recently had with somebody. Their reasoning and logic was on point. I don’t change my mind easy, but I would like to see the pro’s and con’s discussed here in this thread. Thanks.
There is a thread similiar to this in politics, but i believe the question polarizes into two camps. I am going to do something different here. Instead if picking a ready made turn key solution like capitalism/socialism etc. and reasoning from the top down. I am going to list a few pointers about what a good system should do (and hopefully add to and elaborater on) and reason from the bottom up. I don’t believe enough of this is done nowadays.
1.) A good system should protect people from the harm of other people, whether those other people are within (police), outside (military)
2.) A good system should be able to settle disputes between litigants that can’t settle the dispute themselves(Judicial).
3.) A good system should allow people to pursue their goals and earn a living, provided these goals meet 1&2.
That is exactly what I’m looking for. I want to see a true debate so I can see both sides of the issue. I’m not a fan of ready made answers. It seems a lot of people are scholars and not thinkers. Not saying anything is wrong with collecting massive amounts of knowledge, but I think it could possibly make somebody complacent with their opinions. What if a new social theory could be created that live up to today’s standards.
Now does this system leave room for an economical system? Can capitalism in its pure sense (whatever that is) allow for such a system as you outlined?
There is no best social theory, there is only best praxis. As a former Professor of Historical Materialism, I could say Marxism is still the most heuristic social theory. As living in a post-communist country, I hate the way capitalism was restored - at the price of plundering national economy, devastating culture and agriculture, social and personal identity, and getting into a marasmatic and mafiot kind of moral and political degradation, not to speak of the all-national slum we are living now.
Economic policy should allow for competition to create the best product but not at the expense of the consumer. Who should be the benefactor? One giant mega corporation? Or should everyone own a business? Who should be the beneficiary? The one best able to bear it? The one most deserving? The one most needful? Should it be “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” or “He that does not work, shall not eat.” or some intermediate solution lying between these two extremes? Even if social theory is praxis, a lot of pitfalls can be avoided early by discussion.
I here there was more togetherness between local’s in the soviet states of europe. People were more friendly despite the fact they were under communist rule. Is this true?
When you say that social theory is praxis it really bugged me out. For starters because I don’t know what praxis means so I went to my best buddy, dictionary.com! It said that praxis means habitual or established practice; custom. So you are saying that all societies came about because people just decided this is the best way to do it, and little by little all these areas of society evolved?
What about Marx and him writing The Communist Manifesto? Didn’t that inspire communism? And if it did, how would that be habitual or established practice. Wouldn’t that be enforcing a way of life?
well, i would exclude communism, because it’s something people at this moment will not be able to achieve. Maybe if it ever worked, it would be something nice, but I don’t believe in the system anyway.
One of the criteria is that this system should be approved by people in first place. I suppose a mix between socialism and democracy is a nice basic for a good system. But considering every system as it is, there are many advantages which other systems can’t offer, but also disadvantages, which other systems might not include.
The german political system is such a “mix” and is called “social democracy”.
Considering how it works at the moment and which achievement we have/had, it is not bad at all. About a year ago we started going into liberalism with our economy/politics. But as for me, I am satisfied with the way the system works. Of course there are exceptions like debts. Germany might get a penalty if they don’t reduce their debts (they must be below 3.0%), but that is another thing.
I think some kind of social democracy or democratic socialism probably best represents the will of the people.