Economic Democracy and Political Enfranchisement
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary challenge in defining economic equality?

  • Distinguishing it from political equality (correct)
  • Understanding its implications for economic systems
  • Identifying it with equality of possessions
  • Ensuring it is a politically classless society

    • What is the author's revised understanding of capitalism based on?

  • The concept of economic democracy
  • A reevaluation of the injustices of nineteenth-century capitalism (correct)
  • Views of social philosophers and reformers
  • Critiques from Marx and Engels

    • What is the prerequisite for the progressive political enfranchisement of the working classes?

  • The abolition of all forms of economic servitude or dependence
  • The possession of sufficient property to obtain subsistence
  • Universal suffrage in democratic republics
  • Economic emancipation from slavery and serfdom (correct)

    • What does economic democracy aim to achieve?

    <p>The abolition of economic slavery and servitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the core criticism of capitalism by social philosophers and reformers?

    <p>Injustices and inequities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary factor that enabled economic freedom in the pre-industrial past?

    <p>The possession of sufficient property to obtain subsistence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distinct characteristic of the ideal of political democracy?

    <p>Rotating aristocracy of leaders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of Marx, Engels, and their followers?

    <p>Advocating communism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between economic freedom and political freedom?

    <p>Economic freedom is a prerequisite for political freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ultimate goal of economic democracy?

    <p>The enjoyment of the same economic status and opportunities by all men</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's perspective on the injustices of nineteenth-century capitalism?

    <p>They are historic accidents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of government in a socialist economy?

    <p>To regulate the means of production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the implication of the author's revised understanding of capitalism?

    <p>Nineteenth-century capitalism is distinct from the ideal of capitalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between the ideal of capitalism and nineteenth-century capitalism?

    <p>Conformity to the idea of capitalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of a capitalist economy?

    <p>The private ownership of the means of production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of Marxist theory?

    <p>To create a classless society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a completely socialized economy, according to Milovan Djilas?

    <p>A society with sharp class division between rulers and workers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's view on the compatibility of socialism with democracy?

    <p>Socialism is incompatible with democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author believe is necessary for creating an economically free and classless society?

    <p>Capitalism perfected in its own principles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of vesting all capital property in the State?

    <p>The emergence of a new class of 'owners' - the bureaucrats</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's initial view on the relationship between capitalism and democracy?

    <p>The author initially doubted that capitalism could create an economically free and classless society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's view on the role of government in the economy?

    <p>The government should have no role in the economy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the author who influenced the author's thinking on capitalism and democracy?

    <p>Louis Kelso</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the author's criticism of leading economists' views on the economy?

    <p>They believe that the progressive socialization of the economy is an advance towards the ideal of democratic society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Progressive Enfranchisement of Working Classes

    • The enfranchisement of working classes is linked to their economic emancipation from slavery, serfdom, and dependence on employers.

    Economic Democracy

    • The economic counterpart of political democracy involves two key aspects: economic liberty and economic equality.
    • Economic liberty means the abolition of economic slavery, servitude, or dependence.
    • Economic equality implies the enjoyment of the same economic status and opportunities for all.

    Historical Context

    • In the past, economic freedom was associated with possessing sufficient property to obtain subsistence without resorting to toil.
    • The few who enjoyed political freedom in oligarchical republics or feudal aristocracies were men of relatively independent means.

    Challenges to Economic Democracy

    • The question of what constitutes economic equality remains difficult to answer.
    • Economic equality does not imply equality of possessions, just as political equality does not imply equality of functions.

    Critique of Capitalism

    • The author initially doubted that capitalism could establish economic democracy, citing criticisms from various thinkers, including Marx, Engels, and Popes Leo XIII and Pius XI.
    • These criticisms targeted the injustices and inequities of 19th-century capitalism in England and the United States.

    Reevaluation of Capitalism

    • The author reevaluates their understanding of capitalism, distinguishing between 19th-century capitalism and the ideal of capitalism.
    • The historic injustices of 19th-century capitalism may be accidents rather than inherent to the concept of capitalism.

    Socialism and Totalitarianism

    • Complete socialization of the economy can lead to a new class of "owners" – the bureaucrats – and create a sharply divided society, as noted by Milovan Djilas.
    • Socialism, not capitalism, is essentially incompatible with democracy.

    The Role of Louis Kelso

    • The author's acquaintance with Louis Kelso's theory revealed that perfected capitalism, without socialism, can create an economically free and classless society, supporting political democracy.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the relationship between economic emancipation and political democracy, discussing the need for economic organization to support a politically free society.

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