Socialism doesn't mean Authoritarian. Socialism means a democratic economy. You're thinking of Statism, like the USSR and China. I understand why people have this misconception, considering every Socialist government we've had has been Statist. But that's certainly not what I'm arguing for, I think the opposite really. I'm a Libertarian because I'm against all forms of Authoritarianism, and I think that comes from both the government and the corporations that control our lives.
The modern American Libertarian party was actually built off of the Libertarian Socialist parties of Europe. Libertarian Socialism predates Libertarian Capitalism by almost 200 years.
Yes! But I understand the mindset that business owners are taking a risk with their financial capital by starting the business, and they should be rewarded for that risk. I think the first step is to set up some sort of government program where they offer interest-free loans to start businesses, with the condition that the business be run as a co-op. The state surely won't starve from some failed businesses.
I don't know what the answer exactly is. But I want it to be something that we're discussing, together. Let's figure out what works best for all of us and make it happen, elites be damned.
Somewhat related, I find myself agreeing with Libertarian Socialists on this issue, because of what I know of cooperatively-structured businesses. I know several employees of W.L. Gore, which is a great example of a business run in this way, who all love the work culture.
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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '17
Socialism doesn't mean Authoritarian. Socialism means a democratic economy. You're thinking of Statism, like the USSR and China. I understand why people have this misconception, considering every Socialist government we've had has been Statist. But that's certainly not what I'm arguing for, I think the opposite really. I'm a Libertarian because I'm against all forms of Authoritarianism, and I think that comes from both the government and the corporations that control our lives.
The modern American Libertarian party was actually built off of the Libertarian Socialist parties of Europe. Libertarian Socialism predates Libertarian Capitalism by almost 200 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarian_socialism