Quick note - thanks for answering my exploitation question, i never got back to comment but ive just read em all. I'm not sure anyone really got the point though, just saying 'coz there are other capitalists' doesnt answer the prob of the market halving every cycle as suggested by the exploitation theory - and the fact it isnt happening.Anyway, the question. Being a socialist in the west is very easy, ive been reading some posts - it seems that socialism cant happen coz the people arent ready for it, coz it needs to be implemented worldwide all at once. (why? cant have another country showing us up by being wealthier, healthier and happier?). That sort of talk makes it very easy to evade having to face actual socialism in action, warts and all.
So the socialist doesnt have to defend anything (oh cuba, ussr, n korea, china - you see theyre not real socialists - but you naughty americans, you are real capitalist pigs). Ive done this before, just criticized the west behind the safety of the 'cuba aint socialist' and 'humanity is not ready for it' bull.
Its just not good enough.
More over all the socialists who like debating seem to imagine (openly or implicitly) theyll be in charge, or at least highly influential in a socialist society. Thats why they dont run off to cuba - because they'll just end up chopping logs or something - and not doing what they want.
"Ah comrade, we the people are most intrigued by your insights into the socialist ideal, but after much debate the direct democratic vote has concluded that you will best serve the good of your fellow comrades by digging in the salt mines - blessed are you brother, long live the people etc"
Ofcourse you could try and appeal, compete for votes, charm, lie, blackmail and bribe - or did you think socialism wont attract the machievelan charmers and power seekers?
Thats the real possibility of your lives socialists, whether state or 'little' direct democracies you may not get the fun role you crave,a nd get a shit one influenced by the clever persuasive force of 'natural' leaders.
So why didnt you go to Cuba? I figured out why i didnt.
