- 27 Jun 2020 18:44
#15103221
Let's imagine we have a country where there is a vanguard party that directs all productive forces of the society. The vanguard party controls the land and resources.
In this country there is private property. People are free to buy and sell. The government actively encourages free enterprise and the creation of businesses, big and small.
Institutional discipline is strict and corruption is kept under control so as not to stifle the investment environment. Government officials cannot simply requisition business or steal from people. You are completely free in the business sphere and your property is secure.
The goverment uses a sovereign wealth fund to allow itself to become wealthy, the money it uses to re-invest in the economy, in infrastrucutre, the national health service, education and national defence. The government owns several corporations but runs them for profit and on an competitive basis to accrue income for itself which it then continually re-invests in the nation.
The economy is planned using five and ten year plans. There are conferences of the big corporations, unions, corporate interests and professional groups to make these plans as well as coordinate internal policy for the sake of national and economic progress.
Homeless is eradicated because the government uses its vast funds to constantly build new apartments. Unemployment is illegal but the unemployed are given a living wage in one of the state companies and an apartment.
However, politically there is only one political choice, the ruling party. The party does not rule by terror but there is no real freedom in the press or media. The population have a good standard of living, free access to health care and peaceful streets and have become apolitical as a result.
Could this system work? In what ways would it not work? Is it possible to have authoritarian rule combined with a good living standard where people have relatively good access to consumer goods?
In this country there is private property. People are free to buy and sell. The government actively encourages free enterprise and the creation of businesses, big and small.
Institutional discipline is strict and corruption is kept under control so as not to stifle the investment environment. Government officials cannot simply requisition business or steal from people. You are completely free in the business sphere and your property is secure.
The goverment uses a sovereign wealth fund to allow itself to become wealthy, the money it uses to re-invest in the economy, in infrastrucutre, the national health service, education and national defence. The government owns several corporations but runs them for profit and on an competitive basis to accrue income for itself which it then continually re-invests in the nation.
The economy is planned using five and ten year plans. There are conferences of the big corporations, unions, corporate interests and professional groups to make these plans as well as coordinate internal policy for the sake of national and economic progress.
Homeless is eradicated because the government uses its vast funds to constantly build new apartments. Unemployment is illegal but the unemployed are given a living wage in one of the state companies and an apartment.
However, politically there is only one political choice, the ruling party. The party does not rule by terror but there is no real freedom in the press or media. The population have a good standard of living, free access to health care and peaceful streets and have become apolitical as a result.
Could this system work? In what ways would it not work? Is it possible to have authoritarian rule combined with a good living standard where people have relatively good access to consumer goods?