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Socialism or capitalism: A life-or-death difference
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by: Beatrice Lumpkin
May 25 2016
tags: socialismseries, socialism, opinion, capitalism
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People's World Series on Socialism
Everyone seems to be talking about socialism these days, but what does
it mean? That was the question asked by Susan Webb in one of our most
popular and widely-shared recent articles. Millions of Americans are
considering alternatives to a system run by and for the 1 percent. They
are taking an interest in socialism, a word that has meant a great many
things to activists, trade unionists, politicians, and clergy around the
world over the last century and a half. The article below is one of a
series on socialism, what it can mean for Americans in the 21st century,
and how we might get there. Other articles in the series can be found here.
Socialism is not capitalism. And the difference between the two may very
well be a matter of life or death.
Our very survival is now threatened under capitalism by the poisoning of
the Earth and climate change. The danger of nuclear weapons grows
greater with never-ending wars. Socialism, however, can save the human
species from extinction.
What is it about socialism that is so different from capitalism? Let's
start with the differences in the basic economic systems that are the
underpinning of human societies. I like Rick Nagin's summary of the
essence of capitalism offered earlier in this series. But in his
definition, I would change "workers" to "working people," so as to
include family farmers, mom-and-pop storekeepers, etc. They too are
exploited by capitalists even though they are not wage workers. So I
would say: "The essence of capitalism is the private ownership of the
means of production and the exploitation of the working people who
create the wealth."
As Nagin explains, the capitalist drive for maximum profits is built
into capitalism. It is insatiable. It knows no limits except the ones
that organized workers and their allies can win through class struggle
and political action. It was the unlimited drive for profits that made
U.S. slavery worse than anything in the past - because it was tied to
capitalism and the banks' unlimited drive for profits.
Denmark has been mentioned by Sanders as an example of the socialism he
believes in. I wish our unions were strong enough to make gains like
those won in Denmark. We are working on it, but even in Denmark, labor's
gains are in danger of being rolled back as long as it remains a
capitalist country. With the key sectors of its economy privately-owned,
Denmark is still a capitalist country.
Having gains rolled back is a bitter experience. Personally, I'm tired
of fighting for the same things again and again. Take Social Security. I
fought for that when I was in high school in 1933. And now they want to
privatize it! Or take the minimum wage. I had a summer job in 1933.
FDR's new National Industrial Recovery Act changed my rate of pay from
15 cents an hour to 25 cents. (The minimum wage had to be reinstated in
1935 because the Supreme Court had thrown it out.) That 25 cents would
be worth well over $20 today had the minimum wage been tied to cost of
living. There are so many ways that capitalism takes back our gains. We
are now fighting hard for just $15.
What is it about socialism that makes it so different from capitalism
and could save us from climate change and nuclear extinction? Let's look
at the underpinning of society again, the economy. In a socialist
economy, the key sectors are socially-owned instead of privately-owned
by a few capitalists. Social ownership can take different forms
including nationalized property, cooperatives, and collectives. Small
business can also contribute to a socialist economy.
Social ownership eliminates private profits - that's the main thing. For
key sectors of a socialist economy, there is no profit motive, no
putting profits before people. Without the profit motive, the great
reservoir of human talent can be harnessed to stop climate change and
pollution. Without the profit motive, there is no drive for war and all
nuclear weapons could be eliminated. That is the big life-or-death
difference between socialism and capitalism.
Without private profit, the purpose of production is to supply the needs
of working families. That's assuming that the socially-owned enterprises
are democratically operated, of course. But that's a big "if."
I also agree with Nagin that the class struggle will continue under
socialism. That is especially true if capitalism still rules in other
countries. Also, it will take a big struggle to maintain democratic
operation of the new socialist government and the socialized enterprises.
The fight to expand democracy must continue under socialism to wipe out
the remnants of racism; sexism; language, religious, and nationality
prejudices; and corruption of leaders. But the results, in terms of
expanding the enjoyment of culture and human solidarity, are well worth
the struggle.
Besides, there is no alternative. If the drive for profits is not
checked and ended, the human race may not survive.
Beatrice Lumpkin is a long time labor activist with laundry workers,
steelworkers, and teachers. As a math professor at Malcolm X College in
Chicago, she fought to restore the contributions of people of color to
the educational curriculum. She has served as a multicultural consultant
to textbook publishers and to public schools in Chicago, Detroit,
Milwaukee, and Portland, OR.
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