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Social Democracy

Is Social Democracy a Compromise between Socialism and Capitalism

  • Yes

    Votes: 12 57.1%
  • No

    Votes: 9 42.9%

  • Total voters
    21

Fritz

Active member
Joined
Apr 15, 2017
Messages
265
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84
Location
the U.S. of A.
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Socialist
Socialism is a failed experiment and capitalism is a hive of corporate greed. It seems like social democracy is the compromise between the two for it provides guaranteed benefits and enough capitalism to prevent economic stagnation. Is Social Democracy a good compromise between Capitalism and Socialism that it can work in America??? Thoughts?
 
Socialism is a failed experiment and capitalism is a hive of corporate greed. It seems like social democracy is the compromise between the two for it provides guaranteed benefits and enough capitalism to prevent economic stagnation. Is Social Democracy a good compromise between Capitalism and Socialism that it can work in America??? Thoughts?

America already has social democracy, in fact all democracies have it. The question is to what extent do you want it?
 
American "social democracy" is why it is so important for us to continue to stress interpretation of the Bill of Rights via an Originalist rather than the "Living Document" methodology.

Progressive-Left Socialists would prefer to subordinate the individual to the needs of the collective, and use government power to enforce this ideology.

IMO the primary stumbling block to all the SJW efforts to turn our society into Orwell's 1984 is a continuing legal bent towards Constitutional Originalism.

Alt-Left infiltration and current control of our educational system allows advocates of social justice ideology to indoctrinate our youth into conforming, pro-social justice mindsets geared to undermining Originalism and individual liberty.

Instead of allowing this to continue, perhaps we need to spend some effort into "diversifying" educators so as to include more conservative, libertarian, and moderate instructors rather than ceding the field and our future to the Progressive-left.

Personally I prefer Enlightened Capitalism to Social Capitalism; teaching people that working hard deserves reward, but that greed is NOT good. Profits, not profiteering.
 
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Social democracy is anti-civilization. It destroys families, communities, and quality of life in general. In that sense, it's exactly like Communism.
 
America already has social democracy, in fact all democracies have it. The question is to what extent do you want it?

A single payer health care system should be the furthest extent.
 
Social democracy is anti-civilization. It destroys families, communities, and quality of life in general. In that sense, it's exactly like Communism.

Now how would that destroy our lives?????
 
American "social democracy" is why it is so important for us to continue to stress interpretation of the Bill of Rights via an Originalist rather than the "Living Document" methodology.

Progressive-Left Socialists would prefer to subordinate the individual to the needs of the collective, and use government power to enforce this ideology.

IMO the primary stumbling block to all the SJW efforts to turn our society into Orwell's 1984 is a continuing legal bent towards Constitutional Originalism.

Alt-Left infiltration and current control of our educational system allows advocates of social justice ideology to indoctrinate our youth into conforming, pro-social justice mindsets geared to undermining Originalism and individual liberty.

Instead of allowing this to continue, perhaps we need to spend some effort into "diversifying" educators so as to include more conservative, libertarian, and moderate instructors rather than ceding the field and our future to the Progressive-left.

Personally I prefer Enlightened Capitalism to Social Capitalism; teaching people that working hard deserves reward, but that greed is NOT good. Profits, not profiteering.

Perhaps more conservatives and libertarians could find it in their hearts to follow the calling of educating our young. Hours are long, the pay is demeaning and many will call you terrible names. But for the sake of the children, please will you make the sacrifice?
 
government that is a democratic FORM of government is an unstable government full of factious combinations which leads to rights violations of the people.
 
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perhaps more conservatives and libertarians could find it in their hearts to follow the calling of educating our young. Hours are long, the pay is demeaning and many will call you terrible names. But for the sake of the children, please will you make the sacrifice?

PTA...its the only way with parents playing a heavy active role
 
Social democracy is anti-civilization. It destroys families, communities, and quality of life in general. In that sense, it's exactly like Communism.

Wow. Here I was, wondering what 'social democracy' was, and you're talking it up like it's enormously important.
What is social democracy? I ask before moving past your post in the thread...
 
Perhaps more conservatives and libertarians could find it in their hearts to follow the calling of educating our young. Hours are long, the pay is demeaning and many will call you terrible names. But for the sake of the children, please will you make the sacrifice?

I actually taught at both the High School and College levels for a number of years. History, and Life Sciences in Secondary Schools; Western Civilization, and Logic at college level.

You are correct in that much is expected of a teacher both in and outside of classes. Lesson plans, student projects, lectures, science experiments, grading student classwork and tests, negotiations with administrators, parent/teacher conferences (or confrontations in some cases), extra-curricular activities to name a few job requirements. All the while dealing with students (and their parents) from all social strata, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, language groups, and the varying/conflicting attitudes they display towards the value of education.

It can be a tough job, if you are trying to do it right. The pay isn't really that "demeaning," but it doesn't cover all the pre- and post-classroom work required to do the job properly. You also have to be very self-motivated because it isn't as heart-warming and up-lifting as they used to portray in those old movies.

I think this is why the Left is so successful at it. They don't seem to really work at actually teaching subject matter, instead using their position and classrooms as platforms to indoctrinate.

That's my opinion anyway. :shrug:
 
I actually taught at both the High School and College levels for a number of years. History, and Life Sciences in Secondary Schools; Western Civilization, and Logic at college level.

You are correct in that much is expected of a teacher both in and outside of classes. Lesson plans, student projects, lectures, science experiments, grading student classwork and tests, negotiations with administrators, parent/teacher conferences (or confrontations in some cases), extra-curricular activities to name a few job requirements. All the while dealing with students (and their parents) from all social strata, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, language groups, and the varying/conflicting attitudes they display towards the value of education.

It can be a tough job, if you are trying to do it right. The pay isn't really that "demeaning," but it doesn't cover all the pre- and post-classroom work required to do the job properly. You also have to be very self-motivated because it isn't as heart-warming and up-lifting as they used to portray in those old movies.

I think this is why the Left is so successful at it. They don't seem to really work at actually teaching subject matter, instead using their position and classrooms as platforms to indoctrinate.

That's my opinion anyway. :shrug:

If that is your view of teachers of ANY political stripe, then that is highly disturbing.

But you partly redeemed yourself with an understanding of just how difficult the job itself is.
 
A single payer health care system should be the furthest extent.

Perhaps acceptable by you but definetly not the furthest extent for social democracy
 
Socialism is a failed experiment and capitalism is a hive of corporate greed. It seems like social democracy is the compromise between the two for it provides guaranteed benefits and enough capitalism to prevent economic stagnation. Is Social Democracy a good compromise between Capitalism and Socialism that it can work in America??? Thoughts?

I had been reading this article, when I saw you thread. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/arti...pJobID=1144755899&spReportId=MTE0NDc1NTg5OQS2
FA is always worth good to consider. The writers are almost always good, even the ones one doesn't agree with.
 
Socialism is a failed experiment and capitalism is a hive of corporate greed. It seems like social democracy is the compromise between the two for it provides guaranteed benefits and enough capitalism to prevent economic stagnation. Is Social Democracy a good compromise between Capitalism and Socialism that it can work in America??? Thoughts?

I am surprised to see this question still being asked. Of course, it is necessary to know exactly, what is meant by "Social Democracy", but in general it is contrary to capitalism or it is capitalism in which certain externalities are recognized and adapted for. The type we saw in Europe was widely contrary to capitalism and has given rise to misfunctiins.
 
This is from Wikipedia.

Social Democracy is:

'Social democracy is a political, social and economic ideology that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a capitalist economy, as well as a policy regime involving a commitment to representative democracy, measures for income redistribution, and regulation of the economy in the general interest and welfare state provisions.'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy


If this is what the OP is talking about - I am DEFINITELY against it.

On two things especially - income redistribution and regulation of the economy

Income distribution is a horrible idea. People who legally earned their wealth have it forcefully taken away and given to people that have earned little/nothing. Why the heck would the wealthy stay in a country that takes their monies from them? They wouldn't OR they would move their assets offshore/underground...and that helps no one.

And economic regulation ALWAYS fails. Time and time and time and time again when the government tries to run the economy - it fails. Usually horribly. Politicians are horrible economists. And if they were so amazing at economics - why are they not all self-made billionaires (Trump inherited his money)?
And bankers - what the Federal Reserve is made up of - are absolutely terrible with free enterprise. that is why they became bankers. Bankers are great bean counters but have not a clue (usually) how to run an economy.

Some of the other things in the definition I am okay with (to varying extents).

But income redistribution and macroeconomic meddling by the government I am DEAD SET against.
 
The last couple of decades the global economy has become more and more neoliberal instead of social democratic.

In countries that already was more to right it has led to less prosperity and opportunity for ordinary people while the rich have become more rich and powerful. Like for example most people in USA haven’t gotten any real wage increased during the last couple of decades.

For most workers, real wages have barely budged for decades | Pew Research Center

Also, it has led to Donald Trump becoming president by turning peoples anger and frustration of the last couple of decades failed neo liberal policies towards minorities and “the establishment”. While as president he continues the last couple of decades of failed neoliberal policies and fill his administration with billionaires, bankers and lobbyists.

While in countries like Sweden that was more to the left you have also seen more neo liberal policies. That both have led to more inequality, welfare cuts and f far right parties getting into parliament.

Still countries like Sweden is still a lot Social Democratic. For example, we have strong unions and collective agreement that giving both blue and white color workers real wage increases during the last couple of decades.

https://translate.google.se/transla...lloneutveckling---internationellt/&edit-text=

We also have for example universal healthcare, free health care, massively subsidies daycare for all parents, five week paid vacations, and 480 days of paid parental leave.
https://sweden.se/society/10-things-that-make-sweden-family-friendly/

That at the same time Sweden has a strong economy. For example, that Sweden is the best country for business according to Forbes.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017...ost-other-countries-at-just-about-everything/
 
Yes, Sweden have implemented more right-wing policies over the last couple of decades. The question is how beneficial that have been for the economy and society? For example, it has led to more inequality and less security. While Sweden thankfully still have a well developed welfare state to partly offset the last couple of decades neo liberal policies. Like for example universal healthcare, free universities, 480 days of paid parental leave and heavily subsidized preschool/daycare for all parents.

https://sweden.se/society/10-things-that-make-sweden-family-friendly/

Also with all those benefits and higher taxes Sweden is still the best country for business according to Forbes and one of world’s most innovative economies.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017...ost-other-countries-at-just-about-everything/

Also, it not only about economic growth but also who get money from the increased productivity. That the last couple of decades of weaker unions in the United States have led to stagnated or even declining real wages for low and middle-income earners.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...rs-real-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/

While in Sweden we have increased real wages for workers.

https://translate.google.se/transla...lloneutveckling---internationellt/&edit-text=

Thanks to strong unions and collective agreements.

The Swedish Trade Union Confederation - The Collective Agreement
 
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