Mater’s Musings #55 – An Inconvenient Truth


Chapters on Socialism

Love this quote, but it’s all worth a read.

The difference between the motive powers in the economy of society under private property and under communism would be greatest in case of the directing minds. Under the present system, the direction being entirely in the hand of the person or persons who own (or are personally responsible for) the capital, the whole benefit of the difference between the best administration and the worst under which the business can continue to be carried on accrues to the person or persons who control the administration: they reap the whole profit of good management except so far as their self-interest or liberality induces them to share it with their subordinates; and they suffer the whole detriment of mismanagement except so far as this may cripple their subsequent power of employing labor. This strong personal motive to do their very best and utmost for the efficiency and economy of the operations, would not exist under Communism; as the managers would only receive out of the produce the same equal dividend as the other members of the association, what would remain would be the interest common to all in so managing affairs as to make the dividend as large as possible; the incentives of public spirit, of conscience, and of the honor and credit of the managers. The force of these motives, especially when combined, is great. But it varies greatly in different persons, and is much greater for some purposes than for others. The verdict of experience, in the imperfect degree of moral cultivation which mankind have yet reached, is that the motive of conscience and that of credit and reputation, even when they are of some strength, are, in the majority of cases, much stronger as restraining than as impelling forces—are more to be depended on for preventing wrong, than for calling forth the fullest energies in the pursuit of ordinary occupations. In the case of most men the only inducement which has been found sufficiently constant and unflagging to overcome the ever-present influence of indolence and love of ease, and induce men to apply themselves unrelaxingly to work for the most part in itself dull and unexciting, is the prospect of bettering their own economic condition and that of their family; and the closer the connection of every increase of exertion with a corresponding increase of its fruits, the more powerful is this motive.


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Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
August 27, 2022 10:34 am

I’d add that socialist/communist managers also tend to be dumb as rocks, especially mid level ones.

That’s because the type of person who get promoted is not the brilliant ones – they’re a threat not an asset. It’s the loyal plodders who get promoted. And those who get to the top tend to be good organizers of plodders. Which isn’t a skill which is particularly useful for managing an economy.

Bruce
Bruce
August 27, 2022 11:17 am

Socialism is a DEATH CULT.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
August 27, 2022 11:19 am

“Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.”

Winston Churchill

Big_Nambas
Big_Nambas
August 27, 2022 11:46 am

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha says:
August 27, 2022 at 11:19 am

“Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.”

Winston Churchill

That says it all, I will memorize that and use it as often as possible. Thanks Zulu!

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
August 27, 2022 11:50 am

That says it all, I will memorize that and use it as often as possible. Thanks Zulu!

My pleasure – I’ve got that quote emblazoned on a sweatshirt.

Entropy
Entropy
August 27, 2022 9:55 pm

The verdict of experience, in the imperfect degree of moral cultivation which mankind have yet reached, is that the motive of conscience and that of credit and reputation, even when they are of some strength, are, in the majority of cases, much stronger as restraining than as impelling forces—are more to be depended on for preventing wrong, than for calling forth the fullest energies in the pursuit of ordinary occupations.

Think about that in the context of what our clown show politicians are doing to the energy and vehicle markets. And soon, agriculture.

Old Goat
Old Goat
August 28, 2022 12:06 pm

It all comes down to efficiency and motivation . Socialism destroys both .

Louis Litt
August 28, 2022 5:38 pm

Socialism – envy at its core- a foul mouth – breeds hated which Leads to violence.

Lenin’s Jewish follower rode in to my fathers country, saw a doctor then immediately took him to court for a racism case.

Sounds familiar.

Now days it’s one step further, the attack on reproductive sex, man an woman. Sex gone bad is the death of a marriage , then society.

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