I just read the whole thing. I think the problem he has, as with most materialists, is he confuses an economic system, that is laissez-faire capitalism, with the real moral/political system that produced and oversees it, namely ethically Christian representative democracy.
Hence Soros sees a valueless (and heartless) social Darwinist capitalism as the opposite pole of a strict-government-forced-values totalitarianisms—and therefore a kind, cooperative “open society” as the happy mean between.
Soros’ analysis is quite interesting actually—from 11+ years ago—in that he ignores or minimizes religion as an important factor, and a key element in how “cooperative” (his words)(that would be “caring”) a society can be, even while being competitive in economics.
As far as “fallibility” being the standard for an “open society” he’s partly right...as Christian ethics have always maintained everyone is a sinner, and flawed in our understanding and practice of ethics—hence the huge number of checks and balances in the American system of governance. However, the idea that everyone must just limp-wristedly admit we cannot know right from wrong...as the organizing basis of society, is a recipe for madness and anarchy, IMHO.
After reading the whole article, I was exhausted from all the slogging thru fundamental misconceptions.
Soros simply does not recognize the role of religion -- and its impact on ethics and morality. Whether it's Judeo-Christian capitalism...or Buddhist capitalism...or Hindu capitalism...or Shinto capitalism, etc....it is the religion that is expected to inform our morality and ethics. Not the economic system.
Capitalism, by itself, is only an economic system -- which happens to be the most efficient means of organizing an economy for the betterment of all. Which, when you stop and think about it, is a pretty moral outcome...
Soros is a capitalist giant. And a moral midget. He has no business projecting himself on the rest of us.