RE: The Politics of Steem
IMO there is maybe a misunderstanding between Americans and Europeans. Here in Europe anarchism is deeply connect with communist-socialist ideas, think of Proudhon and Bakunin, whereas in the US anarchism is deeply connected with capitalism. There's also a different understanding of socialism. Did you know, that the US had never a real socialist party? Nor, real socialism - compared to Europe. I was raised in East Germany and have a good feeling, what this (european) socialism is all about. But of course your understanding of socialism maybe differ. When you define socialism as "giving users a stake and encouraging redistribution of wealth", then every company that gives a annual bonus to the workers and discounts to the buyers of their products would a socialist entity. Ok, that doesn't match exactly. But my understanding of socialism is simply different. Nethertheless, I fully understand your point and agree with it. We are doing here something that is more than raw capitalism. Something like the open source movement, which is in my view neither connected to socialism or capitalism, its a form of communitarism.
Once again, all I'm saying is Steem takes some good ideas from libertarian socialism. That's all. You are taking it too literally. Let's not get into semantics! I do have a feeling that you are mixing communism - an extreme form of socialism previously used in the USSR and East Germany - with the broad umbrella of socialism. Libertarian socialism, for example, is pretty much the exact opposite of communism.
If a company rewarded stake holders to pass on re-distribute some of their stake to lesser stake holders, then yes, that is indeed a socialist idea. That is very different from giving an annual bonus and discounts to buyers. The important thing to note is that this re-distribution actually helps grow capital. So, best of both worlds! The top guy gains, the bottom guy gains too.
This entire system is 100% voluntary, and thus it is not communist, statist, or socialist. An there can never be "taxes" as taxes require theft from individuals(outside of protocal/ hacking flaw). Thus this is also not a nightwachtmen state either. As such a state requires taxes.
Steem is obviously 100% voluntary.
However, Night-watchmen need not necessarily require taxation. Either way, we do pay for bandwidth. There have been people who have been unable to post or interact with Steemit if their Steem Power is too low given their activity.