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Capitalism vs. Socialism: Which do you prefer?

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Capitalism
60% 445 votes Total: 741 votes
Socialism
40% 296 votes

Capitalism can be the most ruthless and unforgiving economic system ever devised. Yet there are many advantages that it has over socialism and most other systems. It rewards hard work with sufficient pay much of the time. Those with the most capital to invest make capitalism successful. It provides incentive to those that want to better themselves. Socialism, on the other hand, tries to make unequals equal which is like considering a dog equal to a horse. But I would rather try riding a horse than a dog.

Capitalism built this nation. People with vision sought what has been described as the American dream and often achieved it. Our economy wouldn't be the greatest in the world, despite the recent downturns. If you do a better job than those around you, you ought to get rewarded. Socialism, or sharing the wealth, as Barak Obama says, takes from those with the most capital and gives to those with the least. It also doesn't provide incentives. Socialism was tried in the Plymouth Colony at the beginning. All products of ones labor were shared with everyone equally. Those who grew more crops didn't keep more than those that grew less crops. With no incentives, those who could produce more decided to produce only enough and no more. The investors in England didn't make a big enough return and the common store didn't have as much in it as what was possible.

But when capitalism was introduced to the colony, the people tried to produce as much as they could because they knew they could keep more. The excess was delivered to the common store to be sent back to England or sold to others. The abundance was great enough that the first Thanksgiving was held to celebrate the bounty God allowed to be provided. The local Indians in the area were curious and joined the people of the colony for a few days of hunting and feasting. If socialism had remained the common practice, there might not have been a first or subsequent Thanksgivings. The colonists might have starved.

People like to point to the first century church and say they practiced socialism since they had all things common. Yet they forget about the example Jesus gave of the talents of money given to the servants. One was given five, another three, and the last one one. Their master went away and returned much later. The first two had doubled the amount of money they had been given and were rewarded accordingly. The last one hid the talent of money he had been given and gave it back to his master. The man was angry with


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Capitalism vs. Socialism: Which do you prefer?

Capitalism
  • 1 of 18

    by Rick Badman

    Capitalism can be the most ruthless and unforgiving economic system ever devised. Yet there are many advantages that it has

    read more

  • 2 of 18

    by Sara W.

    Capitalism and socialism are not completely polarized ideas. No single country executes a pure form of capitalism. Even the

    read more

Socialism
  • 1 of 12

    by F.M

    Given the economic climate, strong advocates of capitalism are scratching their heads to explain how the perfect economic

    read more

  • 2 of 12

    by Milton Johanides

    Socialism is the political face of a caring society. It is a system of thought which puts people first. By contrast, capitalism

    read more

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