In his article, Immaneul Wallerstein has laid all the doubts, regarding the existence of socialism in the current period, to rest for good. Socialism has now become extinct. Wallerstein has comprehensively made this point: "there are today no socialist systems in the world-economy any more than there are feudal systems because there is only one world-system. It is a world-economy and it is by definition capitalist in form" (Wallerstein 415). Soviet was the last resort of socialism. After its breakup, socialism was completely wiped off the earth and only capitalism prevailed. Therefore I do agree with Wallerstein's argument.
When capitalism emerged on the scenes during the late 18th and early 19th century, its nature was pretty cruel. In England, women and children were made to work in factories, people had very long working hours like from 10 to 12 hours and lived in polluted swamps that had sprung up around these factories. In brevity, belonging from a protestant class during those days was like a nightmare.That cruel kind of capitalism doesn't exist any more. In the West, the governments of most of the liberal and capitalist countries have made capitalism accountable to their people. Almost all companies are required to have a Social Corporate Responsibility Department, and thus are made aware that they do have a role to play for the well-being of their societies and environment. Working hours are reduced to 8 hours, workers aren't underpaid, employers are responsible for providing their workers with health insurance especially in the case of dangerous jobs, workplaces are now becoming more safe and comfortable and factories are coming up with methods for reducing all sort of pollution etc. Workers are also encouraged to form trade unions in order to protect their rights. Even the governments have made contributions to make sure the living conditions of the workers are increased like paying pensions to the retired workers etc. If capitalism was that bad today, working class would not have accepted it or even sought to bring "Protestant revolution" and replace capitalism with socialism. It turns out that people have adjusted themselves and are comfortably living in capitalist societies. After the Bolshevik revolution, I believe that we wont be seeing another socialist revolution for a long time.
When capitalism emerged on the scenes during the late 18th and early 19th century, its nature was pretty cruel. In England, women and children were made to work in factories, people had very long working hours like from 10 to 12 hours and lived in polluted swamps that had sprung up around these factories. In brevity, belonging from a protestant class during those days was like a nightmare.That cruel kind of capitalism doesn't exist any more. In the West, the governments of most of the liberal and capitalist countries have made capitalism accountable to their people. Almost all companies are required to have a Social Corporate Responsibility Department, and thus are made aware that they do have a role to play for the well-being of their societies and environment. Working hours are reduced to 8 hours, workers aren't underpaid, employers are responsible for providing their workers with health insurance especially in the case of dangerous jobs, workplaces are now becoming more safe and comfortable and factories are coming up with methods for reducing all sort of pollution etc. Workers are also encouraged to form trade unions in order to protect their rights. Even the governments have made contributions to make sure the living conditions of the workers are increased like paying pensions to the retired workers etc. If capitalism was that bad today, working class would not have accepted it or even sought to bring "Protestant revolution" and replace capitalism with socialism. It turns out that people have adjusted themselves and are comfortably living in capitalist societies. After the Bolshevik revolution, I believe that we wont be seeing another socialist revolution for a long time.
Finally someone whose views lie on the same spectrum as mine regarding Capitalism. While many may question Capitalism and might be wondering when it will end, it is safe to say that it is an ideology which will not die out anytime soon. People have really adjusted themselves according to Capitalism. People don't really talk about revolting against it now, even though some might press for some reforms in the system, hardly anyone will have the capabilities to change it or bring back pure Socialism from the dead.
ReplyDeleteBut socialism has NOT been completely wiped off the map. There are some systems that are more socialist than others, such as the Scandinavian countries.
ReplyDeleteAnd cruel capitalism still exists today. Look at the slums of the developing world, including Pakistan. Go to any textile shop and then tell me that the ills of capitalism have been fixed.
There are revolts and protests against the system. The boldest recent one was the Occupy protests. But a system of exploitation cannot exist in perpetuity and change will eventually come.
Both you and Hamza come from a different class in society as compared to the proletariat. The proletariat are struggling to get by, but may revolt one day.