Reply #68: Shandris, just got to come up with a different term, that's all

[social_critic]

The problem is socialism is too linked to marxism or communism - ie "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" run by the Marxist Leninist self styled Bolzheviks, who called themselves communists.

I have studied this subject, know some of these guys very well, and I can confirm most corporate leaders do not really seek lower costs. They seek higher profits, an above average return on capital employed, and power. Lower costs, lower taxes, higher prices, more market share, organic growth, all of those are just indicators they send downstairs to get the prime results. If a corporate leader starts focusing only on something like lower costs, it usually lands him in the garbage heap of history - it takes time, but he'll get there. The same thing applies if he focuses on highest quality, or ever increasing market share.

Now that you know a little bit about this topic, I suggest that, thus far, capitalism seems to be the most productive engine we've seen. Capitalism, of course, requires a legal infrastructure, and this includes things such as adequate protection of the environment, workers' rights, taxation, and of course regulation to avoid monopolies, predatory management, and other evil deeds.

But I would not say "socialism" is a word I would use anymore, it's too tainted. A more reasonable option is to call it social democracy with capitalism as the economic engine. And may the gods save us from the greedy psychopaths who tend to run companies.