Shane Mage wrote:
> In the 19th century, social-democracy was Marxism. In the early twentieth
> century, social-democracy was capitalist apologetics masquerading as
> Marxism. In the later twentieth century social-democracy was capitalist
> apologetics masquerading as social reform. In the twentieth century
> social-democracy is neoliberalism masquerading as liberalism. Obama is a
> social-democrat of the purest water, no different in any degree from leaders
> of the "Socialist International" like Shimon Peres, Tony Blair, and Gerhard
> Schroeder or wannabe social-democrats like Sam Webb et. al.
Words have alternative meanings. While your meaning is valid, Shane,
"social democracy" could also mean the reformist branch of socialism.
Like Obama's politics, even social democracy in this sense of the word
is heavily technocratic. But as a product of his time, his politics
are clearly to the right of classic social democracy and FDR if not
Nixon and Clinton.
--
Jim Devine
"Those who take the most from the table
Teach contentment.
Those for whom the taxes are destined
Demand sacrifice.
Those who eat their fill speak to the hungry
of wonderful times to come.
Those who lead the country into the abyss
Call ruling too difficult
For ordinary folk." – Bertolt Brecht.
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