I propose that human greed leads to the corruption of both capitalist and communist systems in actual practice. The difference is that in capitalism, greed is publically encouraged and publically rewarded, while in communism, greed is publically discouraged and privately rewarded. Inequality is present in both practices ostensibly (with few historical exceptions). Whatever economic systems are implemented by humanity, some people are winners and some are losers.
The question of what system is best cannot be settled by only historical anecdotes. Historical record is too biased towards its own context, though we can look at patterns that have emerged through recorded history to try and achieve a more objective understanding; we have to examine a system as it exists right now. We must accept that no system will be exempt from human greed and focus our efforts on policies that fight against it wherever possible. This is not an enlightened centrist position; this is the position of someone who wants to maximize the number of societal winner and minimize the number of losers.
We agree about greed being unavoidable. The difference between the two systems is how you go about satisfying your desire to get ahead - under capitalism you acquire mainly through trade, providing goods and services to others (and sometimes through theft), while under communism your ability to engage in trade is severely restricted, leaving only the other options.
That is a great way of putting it and totally compatible with my view as well. The boundaries of the system dictate the pathways in which greed flows.
I propose that human greed leads to the corruption of both capitalist and communist systems in actual practice. The difference is that in capitalism, greed is publically encouraged and publically rewarded, while in communism, greed is publically discouraged and privately rewarded. Inequality is present in both practices ostensibly (with few historical exceptions). Whatever economic systems are implemented by humanity, some people are winners and some are losers.
The question of what system is best cannot be settled by only historical anecdotes. Historical record is too biased towards its own context, though we can look at patterns that have emerged through recorded history to try and achieve a more objective understanding; we have to examine a system as it exists right now. We must accept that no system will be exempt from human greed and focus our efforts on policies that fight against it wherever possible. This is not an enlightened centrist position; this is the position of someone who wants to maximize the number of societal winner and minimize the number of losers.
We agree about greed being unavoidable. The difference between the two systems is how you go about satisfying your desire to get ahead - under capitalism you acquire mainly through trade, providing goods and services to others (and sometimes through theft), while under communism your ability to engage in trade is severely restricted, leaving only the other options.
That is a great way of putting it and totally compatible with my view as well. The boundaries of the system dictate the pathways in which greed flows.