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submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by Davriellelouna@lemmy.world to c/workreform@lemmy.world
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[-] NeilBru@lemmy.world 3 points 6 hours ago

The right to contract is fundamental to our Constitution in the United States. It's protected by the due process clauses in the 5th and 14th amendments. Though many disagree, the United States Constitution is, on paper, agnostic in terms of economic systems.

The question, for me personally, is do socialist or communist systems produce less corruption in capitalist systems inherently? My answer is no. I am of the opinion that neither arbitrary central planning nor complete laissez-faire economics are inherently more virtuous or morally sound than the other. Economic systems just like their political counterparts are susceptible to corruption in determining what individuals or societies "need".

Immoral behavior by smaller groups within larger groups is a byproduct of human nature. No matter the economic system, the only way to reduce corruption is to build systems that do not concentrate power, be it the state, or a group of unscrupulous plutocrats that rig free markets in their favor once they've cornered them.

I contend that societies that perform the best (i.e., upward social mobility, positive outcomes in hunger, per capita income, life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy rates) have hybrid systems between socialist and market economies with tightly regulated and enforced antitrust and consumer protection.

Political and economic power must not be allowed to concentrate in individuals, trading guilds, institutions, nor the state.

[-] birdwing 4 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Well, Kropotkin agrees with you in the last regard; that power should not be concentrated at all.

What he favours is a system such as yours, but differently. Trusts, which are inherently money-based, would be meaningless under an anarchocommunist system, as there is no money to speak of. A gift economy is one option, in where goods are directly given to one another without expectation of reward, and without a middle man such as money.

To prevent a "free rider" or "hoarder" problem, a pay-it-forward model could be handy, in where if you want goods, you need to give plenty back to the community.

this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2025
179 points (100.0% liked)

Work Reform

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