- 22 Apr 2012 18:15
#13944302
I realize this Dave, that the concept of a mixed economy did not spring up in 1995, but my point...in actuality, is quite similar to your comment on the neoliberal departure. The "mixed economy", "third way philosophy" trumpeted by Clinton and Blair was and is not a third way between anything, but hypercapitalism in one of its more advanced-aggressive stages in contemporary history, masked with a facade of social action and humanitarian politicking.
It is interesting to note that with Schacht, the German economy reached unprecedented heights. This wouldn't be repeated until after the war with the pouring in of foreign resources, later capital and investment, but this, like any major Western economic picture post-'45 came with severe strings attached which ultimately limit the potential of a people to perform outside of a potential range. When I speak to family back in the country, they have always maintained that even with the GDP as it was and is (ignoring the Eurocrisis of the day), it is purposeless if the economy isn't a vehicle for something greater. This doesn't mean that private ownership, as we've discussed, or certain other forms of capitalistic production have to be eliminated in the economy. They weren't at the height of NS Germany. Yet many Germans and Italians introduced elements of a corporatist system, the Corporate state, and its effects upon total implementation are yet to be tested.
And if you discuss the issue to those sympathetic to Fascism, national-syndicalism, the Third Position, etc. you will find that there is not a complete rejection of capitalist practices as there is no complete rejection of socialist practices, but capitalist and (Marxian) socialist values we must reject before embarking on the construction of the social state. Corporatism at the height of its realization in Fascist Italy and beyond (as total implementation was stifled) would see private ownership and competition in the economy with respect to innovation and other fields, but the question we must ask ourselves is "What is the endgame of the capitalism embraced by global leaders today and why is that endgame much different from Marxism?" Both seek the annihilation of your race, national heritage, and values in their tireless intellectual drive toward attempted deconstruction over the societal mores you likely formerly took for granted but now realize are under siege. But of course they have been since the proliferation of the Enlightenment.
And this departure, which I would prefer to label an evolution or subsequent stage, will not be voluntarily reversed with those in key positions given the authority to police themselves. If 2012 appears bleak, I have dreary news about the Western mode of production and state of the state in the remaining part of the present century.
The problem with the political system which tends to accompany the economic philosophy you espouse is that such policies are regularly enacted throughout different historical periods (the trustbusting of Theodore Roosevelt's administration come to mind), yet the rule of law either proves powerless or is simply not honored when the language in such edicts is amended, ignored, covered up, and twisted. The rule of law means absolutely nothing in the current capitalist order.
The "mixed economy" did not originate with Tony Blair, but with various interwar theorists. Some of these were liberals, such as John Maynard Keynes, whereas others were fascists like Hjalmar Schacht.
I realize this Dave, that the concept of a mixed economy did not spring up in 1995, but my point...in actuality, is quite similar to your comment on the neoliberal departure. The "mixed economy", "third way philosophy" trumpeted by Clinton and Blair was and is not a third way between anything, but hypercapitalism in one of its more advanced-aggressive stages in contemporary history, masked with a facade of social action and humanitarian politicking.
The general idea was a managed market economy to achieve goals of full employment, moderate inflation, high wages, and rapidly expanding output. It was based on the idea of management-labor peace with state involvement, and without exception it was implemented in every Western country from 1948-1973.
It is interesting to note that with Schacht, the German economy reached unprecedented heights. This wouldn't be repeated until after the war with the pouring in of foreign resources, later capital and investment, but this, like any major Western economic picture post-'45 came with severe strings attached which ultimately limit the potential of a people to perform outside of a potential range. When I speak to family back in the country, they have always maintained that even with the GDP as it was and is (ignoring the Eurocrisis of the day), it is purposeless if the economy isn't a vehicle for something greater. This doesn't mean that private ownership, as we've discussed, or certain other forms of capitalistic production have to be eliminated in the economy. They weren't at the height of NS Germany. Yet many Germans and Italians introduced elements of a corporatist system, the Corporate state, and its effects upon total implementation are yet to be tested.
This was the period of the highest economic growth in Western history (the USA grew slightly faster in the Gilded Age, but only barely) and greatest relative standards of living for ordinary workers. There were certain problems with the system which led ultimately to its breakdown, but many of the basic premises were valid.
And if you discuss the issue to those sympathetic to Fascism, national-syndicalism, the Third Position, etc. you will find that there is not a complete rejection of capitalist practices as there is no complete rejection of socialist practices, but capitalist and (Marxian) socialist values we must reject before embarking on the construction of the social state. Corporatism at the height of its realization in Fascist Italy and beyond (as total implementation was stifled) would see private ownership and competition in the economy with respect to innovation and other fields, but the question we must ask ourselves is "What is the endgame of the capitalism embraced by global leaders today and why is that endgame much different from Marxism?" Both seek the annihilation of your race, national heritage, and values in their tireless intellectual drive toward attempted deconstruction over the societal mores you likely formerly took for granted but now realize are under siege. But of course they have been since the proliferation of the Enlightenment.
The policies of Tony Blair and Bill Clinton represented a departure from this to the "neoliberal" paradigm, a globalist model which prioritized capital over labor.
And this departure, which I would prefer to label an evolution or subsequent stage, will not be voluntarily reversed with those in key positions given the authority to police themselves. If 2012 appears bleak, I have dreary news about the Western mode of production and state of the state in the remaining part of the present century.
Naturally any capitalist would be delighted to gouge his customer base to increase profits, which is why robust competition and antitrust policies are needed to prevent this.
The problem with the political system which tends to accompany the economic philosophy you espouse is that such policies are regularly enacted throughout different historical periods (the trustbusting of Theodore Roosevelt's administration come to mind), yet the rule of law either proves powerless or is simply not honored when the language in such edicts is amended, ignored, covered up, and twisted. The rule of law means absolutely nothing in the current capitalist order.
"I am never guided by a possible assessment of my work" - President Vladimir Putin
"Nations whose nationalism is destroyed are subject to ruin." - Muammar Qaddafi
"Nations whose nationalism is destroyed are subject to ruin." - Muammar Qaddafi