Defining Words

2005-11-21 05:43:00

Larry writes:

"Free Socialism: The free will cooperation of individuals to create and maintain an organization wherein assets are shared for the benefit of all."

I think you are mistaken in using the word "socialism" in describing what you envision. "Socialism" implies force. It doesn't matter whether it is the "state" or simply a democratic majority which enforces majority will. It doesn't matter whether it is a "National Socialist" state, or a "Democratic Socialist Republic." It simply doesn't matter because force is used in any socialistic scheme, supposedly for the "greater" benefit of all.

It is true that most social programs in the past have only been implemented through the power of the state, but social programs can exist outside the reach of the state. Many churches and organizations have social programs that could be defined as socialistic and members are not forced to participate

It's all a matter of definition really.

If you define socialism as something that has to have the power of the state behind it then we would have to call other social programs by some other name.

I think it is more precise to call all type of social programs a type of socialism and differentiate by calling one forced socialism and the other free socialism.

Larry:

But the bottom line is that all forms of socialism imply the use of force. If force is not used then it is _not_ socialism. Some may see it as "benign force," but it is force nevertheless.

Again, it depends on how you define it. My Random house definition, for instance, gave quite a bit different definition from your dictionary.

The same problem occurs with the words liberal and conservative. When you think about it, it is ridiculous to call an extreme environmentalist liberal because he wants to "conserve."

Larry:

What you described was a form of free enterprise - an enterprise designed to engage in free trade for a profit to benefit the owners - in this case the employees themselves.

But you can have free enterprise mixed with social cooperation as long as maximum freedom is allowed. Free enterprise is usually associated with business whereas many social programs are not directly connected with business.

Larry:

You are in my opinion making a serious mistake in calling this "free socialism." It is not. In all honesty this is one area where I find most of your arguments disappointing.

Why in the world would this be serious??? At worst it is a minor difference in seeing the definition of a word.

It matters not if our dictionaries define a word differently. The important point is do you disagree with what I am saying?

I am pretty familiar with what you think in this area and I cannot see a disagreement here.

There is an important reason I am expanding the meaning of the word "socialism." I may expound more later.

There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.  Ken Olsen (1926 - ), President, Digital Equipment, 1977