To whom...,
Mr. Sokolowski's post illustrates the misconception that socialism
and a command economy are anything like the same animal. If socialism was a
command economy, then it would be true that the difference between socialism
and capitalism was a matter of degree. Therefore, Marxists can happily
conclude that socialism is *not* characterized by the presence of a command
economy. Instead, it is a question of ownership. When ownership is
constituted in a capitalist way, we have capitalism. If ownership was ever
to be constituted in a socialist way, we would have socialism. Fortunately
for young socialists, ownership has never been constituted this way, and thus
the putative "socialist" regimes of the past need not be a millstone around
their necks.
There, that ought to finish *that* debate. :)
peace
