Do you all think Democratic Socialism is possible?

[white_wolf]

I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I was wondering do you all think real democratic socialism, not social-democracy, is possible or likely in this country? To clarify, I'm not talking about social-democracy, but rather actual workers control of the means of production being achieved via democratic means. Marx did write that he thought it might be possible since the working class constitutes the majority in every country, but would be very unlikely. However, I don't think we should be bound by everything Marx wrote. He was clearly a smart man, but not infallible. For anyone who is interested here is a link on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_socialism

[elleng]

1. We've 'progressed' so far that its even less likely than Marx thought.

'Progress' is killing us, imo.

[johnd83]

2. Not with automation

Automation means that the vast majority of people don't need to work. Our society is currently failing miserably to deal with that reality. I also don't like the idea of a totally centralized economy. Certain things like infrastructure, research, healthcare, etc should be somewhat centralized, but don't underestimate the importance of entrepreneurs. Having a top down system tends to cause massive amounts of red tape that kills new ideas.

[Chathamization]

11. As long as there is scarcity there can be work

So unless we get to a post-scarcity economy (everyone has everything they want), things that will keep people from being employed will be things like incapability (low education, disability, etc.) or demand collapse (like what we have now - people want things, but they have no cash for them, can't buy them, so no one will be hired to make them, which means less people will have cash, etc.).

[GeorgeGist]

3. No, too much greed. /nt

[kickysnana]

4. Well after the Euro implodes and those derivatives from 2008+ come out and due

people might think about it.

However the GOP has every intention of stealing the next Presidential election and they have done it at least twice before. If you see what they did/are doing in Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Florida and Arizona we will be lucky not to be rounded up for indefinite questioning here on DU.

So until things get much, much worse, and they will, no. We have 50% of he country with their head in the sand (or Rush's armpit) if you look at how Walker is on the verge of being indicted and has 50% chance of winning Wisconsin.

PS. If you guys do manage to make it I would rather do daycare than farm work.

[TBF]

5. Honestly

I think it's unlikely.

Even worse, I think this country is more likely to go Fascist then anything else. It's the religious underpinnings ...

[Starry Messenger]

6. I think when Socialism comes to the US, it will be in a unique form.

Honestly, I don't think the actual workings of the country will change that much when it does. More robust funding of public programs, eliminate private monopoly of the commons and the commanding heights. We already have a lot of the social programs that Socialist countries have or had (except for health care), they just need to be fully funded. Our biggest fight will be against the corporations, who will probably go all Spanish Civil War and hire some Generals.

[BOG PERSON]

7. no, it will be grey and dreary and imposed from top-down

you will have to share a toothbrush with the production brigade that you are randomly assigned to.

[Starry Messenger]

9. My toothbrush is already made out of concrete and sorrow.

I practice making earnestly grim expressions when brushing.

[HiPointDem]

10. lol

[limpyhobbler]

8. Yes but in the future.

Wish I could be more optimistic.

In the United States, the right wing has done a thorough job of indoctrinating people to think that capitalism is practically sacred and isn't to be questioned.

That, combined with the power of money over government, makes it unlikely in the near term.

It's gonna be a hard slog. It's almost hard for me to think of it in those terms. I think socialism is a theory of how to arrange things, and a vision of expanding democracy into the economic and cultural realms.

Earlier generations have already achieved some pieces of the vision for us by expanding democracy a lot.

We hopefully will achieve some more by using the tools they have given us, including government. We can also start building our own alternative system of co-ops, non-profits, and worker-run companies, to sew the seeds for the future.

But honestly I think our contribution will be smaller piece-by-piece accomplishments, if any, and keeping the vision alive for the next generation.