Middle-of-the-Road Policy Leads to Socialism

Mises Daily ^ | December 2, 2006• | Ludwig von Mises

[Garvin]

Interventionism, Allegedly a Middle-of-the-Road Policy

A second group seems to be less radical. They reject socialism no less than capitalism. They recommend a third system, which, as they say, is as far from capitalism as it is from socialism, which as a third system of society's economic organization, stands midway between the two other systems, and while retaining the advantages of both, avoids the disadvantages inherent in each. This third system is known as the system of interventionism. In the terminology of American politics it is often referred to as the middle-of-the-road policy. What makes this third system popular with many people is the particular way they choose to look upon the problems involved. As they see it, two classes, the capitalists and entrepreneurs on the one hand and the wage earners on the other hand, are arguing about the distribution of the yield of capital and entrepreneurial activities. Both parties are claiming the whole cake for themselves. Now, suggest these mediators, let us make peace by splitting the disputed value equally between the two classes. The State as an impartial arbiter should interfere, and should curb the greed of the capitalists and assign a part of the profits to the working classes. Thus it will be possible to dethrone the moloch capitalism without enthroning the moloch of totalitarian socialism.

[Garvin]

Coming to a country near you!

[ZULU]

Middle of the road is Jorge el Tercio’s middle name.

[eyedigress]

Distribution of Capital is horseshit.

Go make your capital you bunch of lazy bottom-feeders.

[Usagi_yo]

Bull crap piece.

It all comes down to you get what you can take and you keep what you can defend.

The wealthy always want to keep their money, the influential always want to keep their influence be it socialism, communism, anarchy or capitalism. The difference is the methodology that is used.