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Socialism can only work if it is democratic. Socialism is a system
in which the means of production are controlled by the people. Socialism
= economic democracy. If you have an undemocratic society then those
that are in charge will use their authority to take control of the means
of production for themselves. Hence, to have economic democracy (socialism)
one must also have political democracy (Anarchism). The same works
in reverse, if the means of production are controlled by a minority (capitalism)
then that minority will use it's economic power to achieve political power.
Socialism will only work if it is Anarchist because Anarchy is the fullest
form of democracy. If you have a government then you have a group
of people who have a monopoly over legitimate violence. If you give
a group of people a monopoly on violence then they will use their position
to establish themselves as a new ruling class. Hence, the only way
to have full-fledged democracy is to not have a monopoly of legitimate
violence (a state). The history of the 20th century has shown this
to be true.
<p>--
<br>Joe R. Golowka
<br>joegolowka@earthlink.net
<br>Anarchist FAQ - <A HREF="http://www.infoshop.org/faq">http://www.infoshop.org/faq</A>
<p>"It is the belief that power corrupts, and that people become irresponsible
in their exercise of it, that forms the basis for much of their [anarchists]
criticism of political authority and centralised power. Power must be dispersed
they say, not so much because everyone is always good, but because when
power is concentrated some people tend to become extremely evil." - John
Clark, The Anarchist Moment
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