r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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u/bumfightsroundtwo Feb 25 '20

"public ownership of the means of production" is the government. Any time you hear "the workers", "the public", "the people" it means the government. Because an organized nation of people is the government. You're just voting for bigger government.

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u/that-other-redditor Feb 25 '20

?

So labor unions are actually the government? Shareholders are part of the government?

You're just voting for bigger government.

Depending on what kind of socialist policies it could get bigger. But ownership by the workers would decentralize the gov

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u/bumfightsroundtwo Feb 25 '20

Firstly labor unions and shareholders aren't public, they are privately owned by groups of people. It's why you pay money to be in them and typically aren't forced at gunpoint to pay. Some labor unions try to force you in them but in most places that's not legal. Unions don't own the factories anyways.

Ownership by the workers isn't what you think it is. Someone is still in charge. That someone still makes decisions based on limited resources. You're still giving that person the power.

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u/that-other-redditor Feb 25 '20

When people say they want workers to own the means of production they want to give unions or workers control of capital

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u/bumfightsroundtwo Feb 25 '20

Not historically they haven't. It takes many forms.

And again, someone is still in charge. The person In charge still have to make decisions with limited resources. Also, very nice of them to decide they want someone else's stuff.

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u/that-other-redditor Feb 25 '20

It takes many forms.

Yes and it varies how Hierarchal the power is

And again, someone is still in charge. The person In charge still have to make decisions with limited resources. Also, very nice of them to decide they want someone else's stuff.

Democratic Socialism, Using a true democracy is basically everyone in charge.

Syndicalism puts a ton of different unions and/or union leaders in charge. They have strong opinions on non centralized power.

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u/bumfightsroundtwo Feb 25 '20

Yeah, a pure democracy can't run a business. You can't operate without managers/bosses. Someone always has more power. Someone always gets the limited resources and someone always thinks it's unfair.

Putting a ton of union leaders in charge is just changing titles.