RE: I and Thou: The Dynamics of Self in a High Tech World
You make propaganda sound like a synonym for materialistic and self centered consumerism. Implying that education on the advantages of not being materialistic is superior?
I don't buy it. The real struggle is between communism and capitalism in my opinion.
Communism - centralized control, of what you are allowed to think and have and aspire to
Capitalism - everyone can make the best of their own life.
Capitalism is far superior. Some weak minds may take capitalism and turn it into materialism. Doesn't change conclusion on which is superior.
You want a specific example.
South Korea - capitalism (with a touch of crony capitalism),
North Korea - the best of communism on display. Millions in poverty. And they are the lucky ones. The millions in prison camps are living below poverty standards.
The real struggle is good vs evil. Capitalism and communism are just economic models. If you have good people behind them, it doesn't matter which you choose ... every model works for someone. Similarly, it doesn't matter which form of government you have. A monarchy is fine as long as you have a monarch that puts the wellbeing of his/her subjects ahead of their own. The problam isn't models it's people.
I disagree, at least in part. The problem is both people and models.
Your argument is people make 100% of the difference, and use as evidence that a good monarch is better than an evil monarch. Sure. True by simple definition. Good is better than evil. Not a brainstorm.
Lets take the more challenging example. Good monarch versus dysfunctional capitalist system.
Let's use USA and rule of law and current massive dysfunction of the US political system.
I will take rule of law (dysfunctional capitalism), over rule of man any day.
Rule of law is as close to blockchain as political systems get. The rules are supposed to be codified in law, and the law is supposed to be followed.
Versus the mythical "benevolent dictator", "benevolent monarch" or "benevolent leader".
I don't buy it.
The form of government is completely critical and does matter.
The outcomes are made worse or better in that form of government, when the leaders are good as opposed to evil.
But some forms of government are inherently evil and ALWAYS lead to bad outcomes.
Name a communist regime where the outcome has been positive over a period of 200 years.
I don't think you can have benevolent communism under any circumstances; if the people running it were good, it wouldn't be communism to begin with.
Capitalism can be good as long as there are enough good people willing to defend the good parts of the system...Capitalism seems to be to be a reflection of human nature...working when it's good, and horrible when it is evil (corrupt or subverted by the Left)
Consumersism can drive an economy, or it can drive a person towards greed
In any case, Rich is right on this point, that choice to be good or evil is an individual responsibility.
Right on dude... Thanks!