100 million deaths due to capitalism in the 20th century.

[Humes fork]

(although I can't think of any concrete examples right now, it is theoretically possible)

It is theoretically possible, but it doesn't happen in the real world. Anti-capitalism is extremely unpopular among electorates in democratic countries, which is why you can see parties in Europe with communist roots mutating into very left-wing socialy democratic parties. Otherwise they are simply not politically viable.

The most popular form of economic system seems to be a capitalist one that engages in redistribution of prosperity throughout society, provides de-facto insurance in case of unemployment and sickness, and tries to ensure that nobody loses out too badly. I think the argument that capitalism is the economic form of democracy is sound.

 

[respect]

I was more interested in looking at it from the side that it doesn't seem to promote peace. A subtle difference. You boys don't seem to do subtle very well.

That's my bad. I thought imagined JREF was more intellectually curious than it is. Now I know better.

Sure it does. How often do you see the market based democracies of the world warring with each other? How often do you see them rolling in the tanks to stop political uprisings?

 

[Noztradamus]

It could be argued that gulags have nothing inherently to do with communism and everything to do with totalitarianism. Gulags cost the state a lot of money too. How do they benefit a communistic economy?

They encourage compliance by the population not currently interned.

 

[timhau]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_incarceration_rate

The United States of America has an incarceration rate of 743 per 100,000 of national population (as of 2009), the highest in the world.

What is the incarceration rate of North Korea? What was it in the USSR?

 

[lionking]

What is the incarceration rate of North Korea? What was it in the USSR?

A better question would be of what crimes were they convicted?

 

[trustbutverify]

What history have I represented?

Please specify.

Specifically, how uncomfortable did the op make you feel? Was it like a panic attack?

 

[Sword_Of_Truth]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_incarceration_rate

The United States of America has an incarceration rate of 743 per 100,000 of national population (as of 2009), the highest in the world.

If you don't know what a concentration camp is, just say so.

 

[WildCat]

So the USSR invaded Poland in 1939 because of capitalism?

 

[Humes fork]

So the USSR invaded Poland in 1939 because of capitalism?

Yep, Poland was capitalist, Poland was involved in a war. Ergo, capitalism leads to war.

 

[bikerdruid]

Why don't we blame the Black Death on capitalism? It spread to Europe and the Middle East through traders and merchants. Trade is something greedy capitalists do.

every system relies on trade.
canada sold millions of tonnes of grain to the USSR.
cuba relies on it's export of fine cigars.

how could you possibly think that nations live in a bubble?

 

[Sword_Of_Truth]

canada sold millions of tonnes of grain to the USSR.

We should have sold them poutine.

Between that and the vodka, the USSRs average life expectancy would have dropped to around 14.

 

[bikerdruid]

We should have sold them poutine.

Between that and the vodka, the USSRs average life expectancy would have dropped to around 14.

why would a christian wish misfortune on anyone?

 

[Sword_Of_Truth]

why would a christian wish misfortune on anyone?

When suggesting the use of french fries, cheese curds and gravy for use as a biological weapon, most sane, normal and reasonable people would assume that an attempt at humor is being made.

 

[bikerdruid]

When suggesting the use of french fries, cheese curds and gravy for use as a biological weapon, most sane, normal and reasonable people would assume that an attempt at humor is being made.

i never understood xenophobic humour.

 

[Sword_Of_Truth]

i never understood xenophobic humour.

That's surprising given your utter contempt for anyone who thinks or feels differently from you.

 

[Arcade22]

Actually it's not interesting at all since you are lying. Why are you lying?

Can you answer the question?

 

[davefoc]

It doesn't make me uncomfortable, it makes me laugh. All the deaths in WWI and WWII due to capitalism? This is a rational point of view?

Add me to the list who think not. I checked this thread out because I expected some kind of rational discussion about the number of people who die in capitalist countries that might not have if the country had a socialist government.

As it is the point of this thread looks stupid to me and I'm moving on.

 

[bikerdruid]

That's surprising given your utter contempt for anyone who thinks or feels differently from you.

absolutely wrong.
i have contempt for some ideaologies.
please show where i have ever shown contempt for an individual on this forum.

 

[Ray Brady]

Communism was a reaction to capitalism. If not for capitalism, communism would not exist. Ergo, every death that can be attributed to communism is ultimately capitalism's fault.

Let's just blame capitalism for everything bad that ever happened anywhere and move on.

 

[bikerdruid]

Can you answer the question?

please direct me to the posts where forum members have ever questioned the number of deaths caused by communism,
as commonly bandied about by members here.