>This illustrates my point that most of operations of the state even in a c lass society do not involve recourse to violence. In our society this is dealt with by collective bargaining regulated by the state. Why should it be different under socialism, except that the balance of power would (one hopes) be tipped more to the workers.
I wish you would stop using the term "socialism" to refer to something which clearly isn't socialism. I'm willing to compromise on this, perhaps we can agree to you using the term "market socialism" to describe a social system where production is still carried out for profit, but the employing class is democratically elected. I'm not entirely happy with such an association between a capitalist system and the word "socialism", to put it mildly. But at least it would be an improvement over you simply referring to it as socialism, without any qualification.
I presume you are not deliberately trying to confuse people, so perhaps this would be a way to make yourself clearer.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas