I was inspired recently by Joseph Schumpeter's magnum opus, “Capitalism,
Socialism and Democracy,” the first chapter titled “Marx the
Prophet.” Many who read the book misunderstand Schumpeter's goal,
as it seems as though he's writing of Marx in a positive manner. Yet
his real intent is to convey that Communism bares a strange
similarity to religious doctrines. In fact, all forms of socialism do
and it's not just a matter of doctrine; They appear structurally
identical as well.
The similarity between every form of socialism be it Communism, Fascism (National Socialism - Nazism), Social Democracy (Democratic Socialism,) is an underlying moral doctrine. Each version of Socialism we've seen throughout history has always promoted a specific moral ideology that carried with it the promise of a terrestrial paradise that will follow, if the doctrine is adhered to. “Don't sin, and you'll find heaven.” “Follow these rules, and we'll achieve prosperity.” It's the same basic premise as a religion that sets forth a series of rules that define a morality, and if followed will lead the believer to paradise.
Capitalism does not possess a moral doctrine. While it has often been taught that it is “immoral” (though a necessary evil) Capitalism is in fact amoral. That privative “a” (as in A-theist) indicating that Capitalism does not possess any intrinsic moral doctrine. Which means it is neither moral, nor immoral.
The similarity between every form of socialism be it Communism, Fascism (National Socialism - Nazism), Social Democracy (Democratic Socialism,) is an underlying moral doctrine. Each version of Socialism we've seen throughout history has always promoted a specific moral ideology that carried with it the promise of a terrestrial paradise that will follow, if the doctrine is adhered to. “Don't sin, and you'll find heaven.” “Follow these rules, and we'll achieve prosperity.” It's the same basic premise as a religion that sets forth a series of rules that define a morality, and if followed will lead the believer to paradise.
Capitalism does not possess a moral doctrine. While it has often been taught that it is “immoral” (though a necessary evil) Capitalism is in fact amoral. That privative “a” (as in A-theist) indicating that Capitalism does not possess any intrinsic moral doctrine. Which means it is neither moral, nor immoral.
The second element is the structure.
Every form of Socialism is administered (and must be administered,
like religion) by a ruling body that organizes itself in a similar
way to major religions. Take the Vatican, for example; The ruling
body of the Catholic Church. The Cardinals (Electoral College) elects
a Pope (the president.) The church itself is comprised of Diocese
overseen by a Bishop. The Dioceses are divided into smaller
communities called Parishes that are overseen by a Priest. Is this starting
to look like a Government administering law? It is. And was.
Organizations like this need a specific body to administer the moral
doctrine – again, the advocacy of a specific moral ideology is the
similar facet of religion and socialism.
I'm a big advocate of the Renaissance
perspective. The notion that individual people can make their own
decisions, take care of themselves and even find morality without
some organized guiding policy found in either religion or socialism.
I often find it hard to swallow that the so-called modern Progressives who
believe that expanding the function of Government to achieve a moral
goal is somehow a new idea, when it's the same thing that society has
been peddling since Hammurabi. While it may be more ideologically
liberal than the world was in the Dark Ages under the Vatican, it
certainly isn't much different in it's application or goal – To
impose a moral code on all of society, whether they want it or not.
