The Capitalist Threat ( George Soros speaks)

Atlantic Monthly ^ | February 1997 | George Soros

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

What kind of society do we want? "Let the free market decide!" is the often-heard response. That response, a prominent capitalist argues,undermines the very values on which open and democratic societies depend.

IN The Philosophy of History, Hegel discerned a disturbing historical pattern -- the crack and fall of civilizations owing to a morbid intensification of their own first principles. Although I have made a fortune in the financial markets, I now fear that the untrammeled intensification of laissez-faire capitalism and the spread of market values into all areas of life is endangering our open and democratic society. The main enemy of the open society, I believe, is no longer the communist but the capitalist threat.

The term "open society" was coined by Henri Bergson, in his book The Two Sources of Morality and Religion (1932), and given greater currency by the Austrian philosopher Karl Popper, in his book The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945). Popper showed that totalitarian ideologies like communism and Nazism have a common element: they claim to be in possession of the ultimate truth. Since the ultimate truth is beyond the reach of humankind, these ideologies have to resort to oppression in order to impose their vision on society. Popper juxtaposed with these totalitarian ideologies another view of society, which recognizes that nobody has a monopoly on the truth; different people have different views and different interests, and there is a need for institutions that allow them to live together in peace. These institutions protect the rights of citizens and ensure freedom of choice and freedom of speech. Popper called this form of social organization the "open society." Totalitarian ideologies were its enemies.

[Battle of Tours]

What has America come to, to be so influenced by this Hungarian self-loathing Jew? ? (Not meant as anti-Semitic, as Soros himself is). He is a foreign meddler, billionaire puppet-master

[Texas Federalist]

Notice that he gives himself credit for the fall of communism.

[TChris]

That response, a prominent capitalist argues,undermines the very values on which open and democratic societies depend.

What kind of mental contortionist does it take to conclude that freedom of commerce -- aka Capitalism -- "undermines the very values on which open and democratic societies depend"?

Freedom to produce and buy as I wish is somehow dangerous to democracy and Soros' "open society" (wondering what THAT means...)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From deeper in the article:

*************************EXCERPT*************************

SOCIAL DARWINISM

BY taking the conditions of supply and demand as given and declaring government intervention the ultimate evil, laissez-faire ideology has effectively banished income or wealth redistribution. I can agree that all attempts at redistribution interfere with the efficiency of the market, but it does not follow that no attempt should be made. The laissez-faire argument relies on the same tacit appeal to perfection as does communism. It claims that if redistribution causes inefficiencies and distortions, the problems can be solved by eliminating redistribution -- just as the Communists claimed that the duplication involved in competition is wasteful, and therefore we should have a centrally planned economy. But perfection is unattainable. Wealth does accumulate in the hands of its owners, and if there is no mechanism for redistribution, the inequities can become intolerable. "Money is like muck, not good except it be spread." Francis Bacon was a profound economist.

[massgopguy]

George Soros is Dr. Evil.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Isn’t he wanted in France for committing some crime? Why can’t we just extradite him to France???

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

laissez-faire ideology has effectively banished income or wealth redistribution.

And he thinks that's a bad thing?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I need to know more about him...found this:

A HISTORIAN LOOKS AT HEGEL PHILOSOPHICALLY:

[twigs]

is that really true? how do you know?

[TChris]

BY taking the conditions of supply and demand as given and declaring government intervention the ultimate evil, laissez-faire ideology has effectively banished income or wealth redistribution. I can agree that all attempts at redistribution interfere with the efficiency of the market, but it does not follow that no attempt should be made. The laissez-faire argument relies on the same tacit appeal to perfection as does communism. It claims that if redistribution causes inefficiencies and distortions, the problems can be solved by eliminating redistribution -- just as the Communists claimed that the duplication involved in competition is wasteful, and therefore we should have a centrally planned economy. But perfection is unattainable. Wealth does accumulate in the hands of its owners, and if there is no mechanism for redistribution, the inequities can become intolerable. "Money is like muck, not good except it be spread." Francis Bacon was a profound economist.

*chuckle*

It's the oldest trick in the deceiver's book. You take it upon yourself to redefine your opponent's stand, then attack it.

Notice how Soros declares that the only problem a capitalist has with wealth redistribution is that it's inefficient. So, the question between capitalism and communism is simply one of efficiency, and he can produce plenty of dirt on capitalism's inefficiencies.

What a dangerous, egotistical, hypocritical jerk.

Soros should lead by example rather than hypocrisy. He should distribute his wealth to the poor and become equal with them. If that way is truly best, why hasn't he done so already?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Article linked at #28...is heavy reading....my head hurts....and I only scanned it.

[penelopesire]

Yes..it is true. I posted it a few years ago. It was an interview Soros did with someone(can’t remember the name) and he was asked about it and said that yes he did it and then he was asked if he felt any remorse...he said..’of course not’.

[twigs]

Thank you. I didn’t know that. Nor am I surprised. What did he get out of it? What was his motive?

[andy58-in-nh]

Soros employs a misleading and selective reading of Sir Karl Popper's work:

"...totalitarian ideologies like communism and Nazism have a common element: they claim to be in possession of the ultimate truth. Since the ultimate truth is beyond the reach of humankind, these ideologies have to resort to oppression in order to impose their vision on society."

However, that is not all that Popper said about those ideologies, as their similarities extend to more fundamental concerns, namely the denial of liberty and property rights:

"...freedom is more important than equality; ...the attempt to realize equality endangers freedom; and ...if freedom is lost, there will not even be equality among the unfree.

Oops. Forgot that part, eh, George?

[gorilla_warrior]

I used to subscribe to Atlantic but I stopped when they became relentlessly leftist. They still run PJ O’Rourke but it’s not worth it for one writer.

[penelopesire]

Here you go:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/10/the_religious_quest_of_george.html

This article explains it and cites the interview that I was referring to.

[massgopguy]

Soros said that “if he didn’t do it, someone else would have”. I always wondered if he was a NAZI who killed the real George Soros in a Concentration Camp and took his identity. How many other Sonderkommandos came out of those camps and showed up in England a millionaire?

[EdReform]

Take a dirt nap, George

[PsyOp]

230 gr. 45acp

.300 win mag. he probably wears a vest.

[penelopesire]

Good question. Kincaid did a really good article on the scumbag a few years back:

http://www.aim.org/special-report/the-hidden-soros-agenda-drugs-money-the-media-and-political-power/