• steventrouble@programming.dev
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    5 months ago

    Most liberals like to think that they are pro-union…

    First, I just want to say that I appreciated the added nuance. In my mind you went from sounding super extremist to pretty reasonable with just a few added adjectives.

    With that said, honest question: Are you’re mixing up neoliberalism and liberalism? Because the things you’ve said makes more sense if you replace “liberal” with “neoliberal” and “capitalism” with “neoliberalism”.

    Capitalism has crushed most American Unions

    Reaganism (neoliberalism) crushed American unions. Unions were doing great up until then.

    Capitalism, which is necessarily exploitative

    Not necessarily. If you’ve ever traded pokemon cards, then you know it’s possible for two people to be happy in a transaction. Again, if you meant “neoliberalism” your statements would make sense.

    pro Social Programs, but not Socialism

    Yeah, it definitely sounds like you’re talking about neoliberals now. If so, I agree. They’re definitely not leftist.

    • Cowbee [he/him]@lemmy.ml
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      5 months ago

      I am not mixing up thatcher-esque Neoliberalism with the enitrety of Liberalism. The Unions in America weren’t crushed because a random powerful figure took office, but because over a long period of weakening them and conflict that also led to the conditions for Reagan to take president.

      Capitalism is not trade, I already explained what Capitalism is to you earlier. Exploitation isn’t when someone is unhappy, it’s the way Capitalists make profit, by paying workers less than the Value they create.

      Socialism is Worker Ownership of the Means of Production.

      All in all, you should probably read Wage Labor and Capital.