Economics #2

Though socialism’s idea of people sharing everything equally and the state just owning it all sounds very nice and easy, it would never work. It gives way too much power to one group and how are they to be held accountable? If the state owns everything they can easily decide to take it all away as well. A single group with that much power is a dangerous game; it will inevitably lead to corruption.

Another problem with this socialist idea is the concept of motivation and desire. If everything is equal then what will motivate a student to become a surgeon and save hundreds of lives if he knows he can have the same benefits and earnings as a garbage man? There is a reason why people want to work hard and study for a specific career. They know that if they work hard and get a high job they will be able to provide for their future family and have certain luxuries. They also earn a sense of satisfaction and self worth. If you were to take that away then there would never be anything to inspire a person to work for something. We would all become slobs and never do anything with our lives. Why do you personally need to do anything spectacular if you can let someone else do it all for you? The fact of the matter is we are sinful creatures. We love money and want to work for it. There is nothing wrong with wanting possessions for our enjoyment (though there is an extent). 1 Timothy 6:17 says that God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. He gave us these luxuries. He was the one who created the earth and blessed us and said we were to rule over the earth and all its creatures (Genesis 1:28).

In an ideal, perfect society, socialism would be great. However, because we are fallen human beings there can never be a way for socialism to really be beneficial. Do you really think that if the government handed everything out equally it would stop people from wanting more? We are so selfish that we want everything for ourselves, always looking at our neighbor and trying to be better so we can feel superior. To Mark and Sarah I say, it’s a nice dream.