Well, nothing estranges you from yourself quite like having your own ideas and creations ripped from you because others arbitrarily decided they have a right to them, I guess. XD Marx's theory of alienation is essentially a subversion of Bastiat's more classical property ethic because it presupposes that some people's right to self is also a right to other people's selves. And, as with other Marxist concepts like historical materialism, I think it's pretty unfalsifiable and semantically nebulous. Marx, as with Hegel, who he took much of his inspiration from, used a lot of inflated verbiage to concoct theories that were immensely speculative and highly abstract. Too much so, I would say.
Something less known about socialist systems is that after they fall, due to being economically unsustainable in a free market environment, a huge chunk of population continues to believe that those were "better times". Brainwashing akin to a religious cult applies to children who weren't born during socialism, but heard about the "good times" from their parents... I've personally been there. It's funny how being relieved of any responsibility can make them enjoy being slaves. What do you think are the major issues with with republic & capitalism model?
Very true. That's the saddest thing; that you can reach a point where you don't even want freedom anymore. And, like you say, young people grow up deluded about how things were. I read a statistic once that said that a large number of Russian youths today say they would vote for Stalin were he alive. Sad (and disturbing). In the end though, speaking personally at least, it's better to be poor and free than comfortable and oppressed. As for major issues with republicanism/capitalism, well, I would say decadence is a major threat. The Roman republic in its final days was marked by extensive corruption, just like America is today. Socially, I think people over time will become overly reform-oriented. They see make problems where problems don't necessarily exist. America has produced generations now of people who are essentially coddled and shielded from real hardship. They turn/have been turned against capitalism and advocate for collectivist ideologies because they've never had to experience it themselves. It's not just that they'll willingly surrender their own freedoms to government because they're scared of their own responsibility, but they have a vision for the world which they mistakenly believe they have a right to impose upon others. I suppose things may be cyclical to an extent. As they say, hard times make strong people, strong people make good times, good times make weak people, weak people make hard times.
Should be interesting!
I found it an engaging read. And pertinent.
It's interesting that Bastiat's definition of property is so very close to Marx's theory of alienation.
Well, nothing estranges you from yourself quite like having your own ideas and creations ripped from you because others arbitrarily decided they have a right to them, I guess. XD Marx's theory of alienation is essentially a subversion of Bastiat's more classical property ethic because it presupposes that some people's right to self is also a right to other people's selves. And, as with other Marxist concepts like historical materialism, I think it's pretty unfalsifiable and semantically nebulous. Marx, as with Hegel, who he took much of his inspiration from, used a lot of inflated verbiage to concoct theories that were immensely speculative and highly abstract. Too much so, I would say.
Something less known about socialist systems is that after they fall, due to being economically unsustainable in a free market environment, a huge chunk of population continues to believe that those were "better times". Brainwashing akin to a religious cult applies to children who weren't born during socialism, but heard about the "good times" from their parents... I've personally been there.
It's funny how being relieved of any responsibility can make them enjoy being slaves.
What do you think are the major issues with with republic & capitalism model?
Very true. That's the saddest thing; that you can reach a point where you don't even want freedom anymore. And, like you say, young people grow up deluded about how things were. I read a statistic once that said that a large number of Russian youths today say they would vote for Stalin were he alive. Sad (and disturbing). In the end though, speaking personally at least, it's better to be poor and free than comfortable and oppressed. As for major issues with republicanism/capitalism, well, I would say decadence is a major threat. The Roman republic in its final days was marked by extensive corruption, just like America is today. Socially, I think people over time will become overly reform-oriented. They see make problems where problems don't necessarily exist. America has produced generations now of people who are essentially coddled and shielded from real hardship. They turn/have been turned against capitalism and advocate for collectivist ideologies because they've never had to experience it themselves. It's not just that they'll willingly surrender their own freedoms to government because they're scared of their own responsibility, but they have a vision for the world which they mistakenly believe they have a right to impose upon others. I suppose things may be cyclical to an extent. As they say, hard times make strong people, strong people make good times, good times make weak people, weak people make hard times.
False dialectic.
Lol, that does seem to be the go-to response. XD
Why do you have such a disturbing profile picture? Does it have to do with your anti natalist views?
Nah, not really. It's just a striking image that I came across years ago and have used since for my online doings. :)