Newell-Fonda High School
Newell, Iowa
By Hanna Reis
12th Grade
The United States government is generally run by the command of the government officials and is a system based on state ownership of capital. People in the United States have opinions that this country is both socialist and capitalist. Socialism is defined as a centrally planned economy in which the government controls all means of production. Socialism is any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy. Capitalism is completely contrasting to socialism. Capitalism is defined as an economic system based on private ownership of capital. Capitalism is a system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market. With everything going on in this country, the majority of it relies on the government’s choices, which means this country is socialism.
Capitalism is one of those terms that tends to launch political debate. Some see capitalism as a representation of all that is good; others see it as the epitome of all that is bad. Of course, like any aspect of the real world, there is both good and bad. Those who highlight the bad side of capitalism tend to note that it perpetuates an unequal ownership of resources, especially capital, which creates unequal opportunities. The inequality can then lead to an unhealthy concentration of wealth, uncompetitive control over markets, and liberty-threatening political influence. Those who advocate the good side of capitalism like to point out that it promotes a more efficient allocation of resources, raises the average living standard of the population, and generally improves the quality of life. Capitalism is basically telling people that the county’s implements, organizations, privately owned businesses and other plants and businesses run this country. Political liberals are less favorably disposed toward capitalism because they are less likely to benefit, and perhaps are even harmed, from the concentration of wealth, market control, and political influence.
Socialism means production to satisfy human needs, not as under capitalism, for sale and profit. Socialism means direct control and management of the industries and social services by the workers through a democratic government based on their nationwide economic organization. Under socialism, all authority will originate from workers, integrally united in Socialist Industrial Unions. In each workplace, the rank and file will elect whatever committees or representatives are needed to facilitate production. Within each stop or office division of a plant, the rank and file will participate directly in formulating and implementing all plans necessary for efficient operations.
Socialism does not mean that the government or state has ownership over everything. The government and state would just have to accept it. It does not mean a closed party-run system will run without democratic rights. It means a complete end to all capitalist social relations. Socialism has never existed. Socialism will be a society in which the things we need to live, work and control our own lives, the industries, services and natural resources are collectively owned by all the people. This country is for the most part run by the government and right now in 2005, there are not many things running smoothly. Socialism means a chance to develop all individual capacities and potentials within a free community of free individuals. It means a classless society that guarantees full democratic rights for all workers.
Socialism will not be an utopia created in people’s minds. It will be the product of economic and social development. This would create a better basis for cooperation and mutual regard in this country. In this country, everything relies on the government’s choices. Socialism is a good word that describes this country because for example even when a person votes, this country doesn’t go by popular vote it goes by electoral votes. Electoral votes are what this country’s government wants to go by. If this were a capitalist country then more than likely it would go by popular vote because that is what the people want; not what the government wants. If the country were capitalist, then the people would have more of an open opinion than they do, and their opinions would matter more than now because this country is all about its government.
The United States is a socialist country due to everything relying on the government and all of the choices being left up to the government. Our world would be a lot further able to get along if it would consider changing to capitalism because everyone’s opinions would count, and everyone would have more choices. Since this country is socialist, the government has total control of anything and everything. The government changes things without consent of anyone living in the country. The United States is very socialist now in 2005.
Answers To Questions Prompted By The Required Reading
What does Mr. Reed mean when he says “Equal people are not free?”
To be equal there would have to be orders and regulations. The world would be a lot more stressful because everyone would be giving others orders to try and make everyone equal. Therefore, for everyone to be equal no one would be free.
What is the deadly trade-off to reliance upon government, according to Reed?
Everything done in our country relies on our government to make the right and safe decisions for our people.
Why did the Founding Fathers assure that the United States became a republic rather than a pure democracy?
Our founders established a republic, and a republican form of government that modifies pure democracy. It provides a mechanism by which almost anyone can have some say in some matters of government.
What is the saving grace of democracy according to Lawrence Reed?
Everybody votes on everything, and 50 percent plus one decides every “public” issue, and inevitably, a whole lot of what ought to be private ones too. People like the sound of “democracy” because it implies that all of us have equal say in our government and that a simple majority is somehow inherently fair and smart in deciding all or virtually all issues.
Richard Haas gives two unusual reasons for advocating democracy. What are they?
1. Democracies are not always peaceful.
2. Immature Democracies are those that hold elections but lack many of the checks & balances characteristics of a true democracy.
Give two reasons you personally would promote democracy?
1. Everyone gets some say in what is being done in our world.
2. Everything relies on the people, just because we have a president he still doesn’t make all of the decisions.
Comment on President Bush’s current foreign policy.
I believe President Bush has pushed our country into a number of harmful things that have no concern or our business to our country. He thinks that it is our job to make the whole world peaceful and then it causes deaths to people in our country. We should only do things that involve our country.
How did you interpret each of the four different hats?
Each hat shows or means someone of high importance.
How did you interpret the megaphone, baby, knife/gun?
Megaphone- Power by campaigning
Baby- Power by Importance
Knife- Power by force.
Share one of your favorite discoveries with us. Include the URL.
On December, 1791, the United States adopted the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. http://www.cato.org/
List the name of each country and their highest and lowest year for economic freedom.
Canada: 2003 and 1975
Albania: 2003 and 1990
United States: 2000 and 1970
Austria: 2003 and 1975
Chad: 2001 and 1985
Which of your five countries had the greatest degree of economic freedom according to this exercise?
United States
What was the summary rating and rank in the year it achieved this degree of economic freedom?
In 2000 the rating was 8.6. In 2000 the rank was 2 out of 123.