'Neoliberal capitalism' has contributed to the rise of fascism, says Nobel laureate
'Neoliberal capitalism' has contributed to the rise of fascism, says Nobel laureate
The attacks on democracy and freedom "have never been greater in my lifetime," warns Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/19046336
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A lot of dumb takes in the comment section here. It's astounding the conclusions people come to. Joseph Stiglitz is absolutely right, but a lot of you need to view societies in a less rigid, linear, and positively Manichean manner.
Class conflict from inequalities keeps resulting in the same patterns across many different countries and throughout history and we're supposedly black and white thinkers for calling it out? Bernie keeps saying the same thing over and over too, but that's because it's true.
Bernie's not saying "Scratch a liberal and a fascist bleeds" and insisting that all forms of capitalism inevitably lead to fascism. All forms of capitalism are bad (or, at least, worse than socialism), but the idea that fascism is just an outgrowth of liberalism, and of liberalism specifically, ignores... so goddamn much history. The atmosphere in here is very anti-SocDem.
Liberalism allows asymmetric power between the wealthy and the working class and the wealthy aren't threatened by fascism, but they are threatened by socialism. That's one of the ways in which liberalism leads to fascism.
When times are good liberals don't directly try to implement fascism, but as times get tough and the working class begins to have unrest then fascism is the direction the pressure releases in, because given the choice the capitalists will take it over socialism every time.
Not reining in capital is the fault of liberalism
Liberalism allows asymmetric power between the wealthy and the working class and the wealthy aren’t threatened by fascism, but they are threatened by socialism.
If we're counting that as 'leading to fascism', wouldn't that be true of every system with power imbalances?
Fascism has a specific definition that also relates to capitalism but otherwise you're right that those in power will cling to power.
Fascism is one such outcome that occurs when capitalism is under threat.
In that case, when you say "Liberalism leads to fascism", what you mean is "Liberalism creates the preconditions necessary for fascism", just like liberalism creates the preconditions necessary for socialism.
Not exactly. Part of the characteristics of liberalism is that it's supportive of capitalism and capitalism can be regulated but will tend to move towards increasing power imbalances, artificial scarcity, and environmental destruction.
Those things cause strain on a liberal society, and that strain leads that society to go into turmoil. Populism begins to happen, but collective resistance to the capitalist ruling class is strongly suppressed while other forms of harmful populism like racism and desire for war are allowed to fester or even amplified.
Capitalism is the dog, but liberalism is the neglecful owner that lets go out the leash
Not exactly. Part of the characteristics of liberalism is that it’s supportive of capitalism and capitalism can be regulated but will tend to move towards increasing power imbalances, artificial scarcity, and environmental destruction.
Okay, cool, so which system hasn't tended towards that so far?
Because right now, it sounds a whole lot like "Liberalism leads to fascism" is only true in the most banal sense.
Socialism does not tend towards those things, worker-owners of a plant won't pollute their own water supply for a buck. By democratizing the economy we give everyone a say in decision making, and the average worker doesn't have the money to build a bunker to survive the societal collapse. Billionaires are literally planning for the collapse, rather than considering giving up their position.