de Tocqueville on Socialism November 28, 2009
Posted by andiquote in Liberty, Short Quotes.Tags: Constitution, Freedom, quotes, socialism
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Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom, socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude. – de Tocqueville 1848
This is nothing more then opinion. Perhaps instead of hanging on one mans quote, you might get out and experience the world for yourself. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find. As for my time spent in socialist countries, with the exception of a one I saw no more restraint and servitude then I see in the US, In some cases maybe less. The typical fear mongering we hear today is weak in fact and historical relevance. In fact it shows all the symptoms of Schopenhauerian herd morality. While your attention is being diverted towards dogma and metaphors a new form of restraint and servitude is taking form, the corporate state. The fact that the US economic engine has been downsized in the past 60 years from a Henry Ford economy to the Wal-Mart economy is a move towards servitude not to mention the domination and at the same time repression of enterprise. The tea baggers are tied to a leash and barking up the wrong tree.
I would like to thank you for your thoughtful comment. I will in fact admit, I have not had the opportunity to travel abroad.
You stated, “As for my time spent in socialist countries, with the exception of a one I saw no more restraint and servitude then I see in the US, In some cases maybe less.” This does not surprise me, and in fact shows just how far down the road to socialism we are. Our country is continually taking more and more of our freedoms, in the name of equality and social justice.
You said, “A new form of restraint and servitude is taking form, the corporate state.” This is true and it has its roots in socialism. As the federal government gets in bed with large corporations, small businesses, which provide 80% of the jobs, are being taxed and regulated out of existence. I am not in favor of corporate welfare whether it’s farm subsidies, bank bailouts, government taking over auto companies or insurance companies. Businesses must be allowed to fail, even those “too big to fail.”
The President doesn’t agree, the Financial Reform bill, just passed, gives the President the right to take over businesses that he or the treasury believes are too big to fail. It doesn’t define ‘to big to fail’, other than it could be a threat to the nation, to the financial stability of the nation. It also gives the government the access to every financial transaction you make, whether by credit card, checking account, and investments.
As for “teabaggers,” (Really, is that necessary?) you may be surprised to know that they would agree with most of what you have stated. I would suggest that “you might get out and experience the world for yourself” by attending a tea party rally. You’ll be surprised at the friendships you’ll make.
I contend de Tocqueville’s words remain true, “while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”
Socialism in fact entails more freedom than does our current “democracy”. Most democracies as they exist now are plutocracies, look at the amount of money that it requires to run, but also the amount of stored income that is required to be able to run long-term campaigns. Notice then the number of millionaire who are in the congress. This prevents any meaningful change, because our legislative bodies really represent the interests of the rich. As a socialist, something that would be favorable to me is replacing the senate with an assembly of al citizens who have the final say on any law passed by the house, and would be able to change any such law in any manner it likes and have that be the final bill. As for economics, socialism demands that the workers own the corporation, not a capitalist, this means you would recieve higher wages, and more control over your work place. True socialism is about creating a society in which you in fact have choices, where you have more power over your environment, where you decide your future, not someone dictating to you what it must be. Many people have taken the name of socialist in vain, all those many dicatorships. But socialism is in fact a doctrine of liberation from all oppress, if they oppress, then they cannot be a socialist, and never call them such.