>Recent talk here on this list made me wonder what people here think is
>the role of the small and medium sized business in a socialist
>economy.
>
>Should cooperatives be encouraged by the government, or is there still
>room for the small for-profit capitalist style business?
What part of "socialist" don't you understand?
>Cases in point:
>
>a) a wood/timber firm which is the only/major employer in a given town
It would be a bit difficult. I imagine a socialist economy would not need to actually proscribe employing wage labour. But given that no-one would need to sell their labour, it would be rather difficult to hire anyone. Not to mention that timber forests are part of the means of production. So obtaining timber would be subject to the democratic decision-making process.
>b) the owner of a pizza shop whom wants to expand and open 4 other
>locations in town
Sure, why not. As long as you can get enough volunteers to make pizzas etc. Good luck with that.
>c) two graduates wom want to start their own ISP using a
>creative/innovative technology not available untl then.
Where did they get this technology again? As long as they can get hold of the resources to do it and the volunteers to do the work, they could realise their dreams. But they would need to convince the suppliers and the potential workers to co-operate voluntarily.
>I have my own ideas with regards to this and I think the biggest
>problems of this world are caused by the largest corporations.
>I'm not sure socialists should suffocate small style innovation and
>entrepreneurship....
And small employers are benevolent organisations?
Bill Bartlett Bracknell tas