John Stossel, the concept of collectivism is examined, especially in contrast to capitalism and individualism. The author argues that while collectivism sounds appealing, it has consistently failed in history.
1. Appeal of Collectivism: Advocates for socialism, including a new mayor, promote collectivism as a warmer alternative to capitalism where wealth is shared and greed isn't tolerated.
2. Historical Failures:
• Communes: Various socialist communes have been established throughout history, most notably in New Harmony, Indiana. This commune abolished private property and mandated sharing, but it collapsed within two years due to lack of resources and structure.
• Current Failures: Countries like Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela currently show the failure of collectivism. Past examples include the Soviet Union and other nations that transitioned away from pure socialism due to economic strain.
3. Examples of Abandoned Socialism:
• The Farm Commune: A Tennessee commune that initially required members to contribute all their resources eventually had to allow personal property to survive.
• Oneida Community: Founded as a free-love socialist society, it turned to capitalism for survival by producing silverware.
• Amana Colonies: This Iowa commune also shifted to capitalism, leading to ongoing success.
4. Kibbutzim in Israel: These collectivist setups largely failed without government subsidies. Some that survived did so by adopting capitalist principles, allowing individual ownership and profit.
5. Critiques of Collectivism: Yaron Brook from the Ayn Rand Institute posited that true socialism is morally idealistic but practically a disaster. Advocates ignore the practical failures in pursuit of a moral cause.
Stossel's analysis presents a strong argument against the viability of collectivism, demonstrating that history reveals its repeated failures. While the allure of a collective society may seem beneficial, the evidence suggests that capitalism, with its reliance on private ownership and incentives, is the more effective system for improving lives and sustaining communities.
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