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Bernie Sanders had dropped out of the presidential race, leaving Joe Biden with a clear path to the Democratic presidential nomination. Yet, what Sanders has accomplished is truly remarkable. Not only are mainstream politicians considering the likes of free college tuition and Medicare for All, but for the first time in my life large numbers of Americans are critical of capitalism as an economic system and seriously assessing socialisms merits. This, then, is a good time to examine the premises underlying the rival worldviews and explore their social implications.

Capitalism operates on the assumption that resources are scarce and people compete to access them. We live in a dog-eat-dog world, where every person is out for him or herself. As Max Weber argued in his classic, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, such a philosophy motivates people to work hard and be productive as they vie to get ahead. The downside is a tendency to discourage empathy and support for the less fortunate. People may cooperate, but only insofar as they perceive cooperation to yield a competitive advantage. If one can benefit by stabbing erstwhile allies in the back, it is only rational to take advantage of the opportunity. Furthermore, since those who are successful inevitably wish to maintain their wealth and power, they will likely use that wealth to maximize political control.

Socialisms underlying premise is that were all in the same boat. Were the boat to sink, everyone would drown; therefore, it makes sense to work together to keep it afloat. Should some shipmates struggle with a challenge to their health and welfare, we all benefit by helping them regain their fitness and resume their status as productive members of the crew. The challenge is to orchestrate collective actions to promote the common interest. Such coordination frequently requires a degree of centralization, which can place inordinate power in the hands of a few. Should the leaders actions be misguided, everyone may suffer.

Real life, of course, is rarely driven by a single unified worldview. Even in a hard-core capitalist society, collective interest and self-sacrifice often predominate in families. Successful capitalists sometimes donate fortunes to charity. Prominent religious figures may take vows of poverty. And well-off business people can be thoughtful and considerate. To nurture such traits, however, requires one to overcome the egoistic ethos that undergirds our economic philosophy. Conversely, far too many leaders in collectivist societies parrot socialist ideals but, when they come to power, disenfranchise the oppressed, stifle opposition, and promote the interests of a new elite.

So, what is the solution?

As the 19th-Century German philosopher GWF Hegel observed, everything is filled with contradictions and constantly in flux. The challenge is to maintain the constructive elements of the old system while embracing the new. Based on my decades as an anthropologist, Ill offer the following principles:

1. Human beings are social animals who need one another and flourish in an environment of mutual support. The stress of isolation resulting from attempts to control the current COVID-19 pandemic makes that clear.

2. An element of competition exists in most societies. But competition need not be for material resources, especially in a society sufficiently productive that, with a fair system of distribution, everyone might access basic nourishment, health care, education, and the other building blocks of a fulfilling life. Instead of striving for material rewards, we could compete to be as kind, compassionate, and generous as possible. The reward would not be the accumulation of great fortunes, but recognition for our contributions to the common good. With such an ethos, we could harness the dynamism of capitalist competitiveness while incorporating the collective consciousness that socialism has the potential to impart.

3. Socialism, like any system, has advantages and risks. To minimize the risks, we need to lock in democratic principles. Without question, people make mistakes. Yet, until we locate Platos philosopher king, in the long run well be better off should decisions reflect popular will than if they are dictated by an autocrat even a well-meaning one. In short, for socialism to reach its potential it must be democratic socialism.

Not everyone will embrace my perspective. But perhaps we can agree to: learn from history and glean useful lessons from the diverse cultures all around us; consider ways in which we might incorporate the most constructive aspects of each way of life to fashion a humane and satisfying synthesis. If we proceed with such a quest, Sanderss campaign will be remembered as a breathtaking success.

Rick Feinberg is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Kent State University.

Excerpt from:
Commentary: Bernie Sanders and the merits of Democratic Socialism - Akron Beacon Journal