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Originally Posted by Katczinsky  Actually it would. For democratic politics anyway. I'm not rejoicing that there will be socialist-minded votes, because it would be foolish to do so considering it would only be one person. But I am more rejoicing over this because I believe the more partisan or perhaps narrow-minded our politics is, the less democratic it is. Democracy is more of a clash of ideas. Obviously, I don't think pure socialism would work, just like pure of anything wouldn't work. But I do think that socialism does have something to offer us. But moreso, a socialist joining Congress will help pave the way for more tolerance toward socialist ideas. Especially considering the United States is the only industrialized nation without a significant socialist party. | A good chunk of socialists are pretty undemocratic (basically all of the revolutionary, vanguard party ones... So that's the Trotskyists, related groups, Marxist-Leninists/Maoists and related groups... The largest socialist party in America is the latter).
I agree with Milton Freidman's premise that economic freedom and social freedom are linked. America never developed a strong socialist party because America has a strong individualist tradition. In post-Barry Goldwater conservative revolution America, I really don't think that one could happen, and that's a good thing. Socialism slows economic growth. There's a reason that the United States' economy is better than most European countries. Of course, this factor is only one of many, but it is still a factor.
More tolerance for socialists is not a positive thing. Granted, I don't think we should pull a McCarthy, but the last thing that should be considered American is socialism as an acceptable route. My political compass
Economic Left/Right: 5.63
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.41 |