What are the pros and cons of state owned businesses?

[Spiffor]

What do we have left to argue ?

[Az]

Nothing, and it disgusts me. I want some capitalists to come in and say that it's ****ed up, since it seems that Imran agrees with us ( Is the end of days upon us? )

[Spiffor]

Erm, no, Imran only agrees that the price is not the only factor of demand.

I somehow doubt he agrees that every large company should be made public

[Az]

He said that it could be done, though. For Imran, that's mindboggling progress.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Azazel
He said that it could be done, though. For Imran, that's mindboggling progress.

Having a leftist girlfriend is good for your health

[Az]

does he still date her

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Originally posted by Azazel
Laz, I never understood your political beliefs. Could you describe them, please?

Brutally pragmatist. I'm not a great one for toeing party lines and I don't go looking for ideological perfection. "Moderate left" is a rough summary.

[Az]

Why don't agree with a full socialist agenda, then?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Because it doesn't work.

[Az]

What don't you think will work in my system, for example?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Am I going to have to trawl back through pages to find out what that system is?

[DAVOUT]

Nobody could even make a playable game with Azazel system, let alone a real economy. Entirely based on the personal prejudices of an inexperienced teenager.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by DAVOUT
Nobody could even make a playable game with Azazel system, let alone a real economy. Entirely based on the personal prejudices of an inexperienced teenager.

Care to explain further ?

[Az]

oh no, my opinions have been fully rebutted!

[Spiffor]

Az:
The real problem with a completely centralized economy is that:

- it is difficult to make sure nobody will abuse that power. If all the economic power of a Nation falls into the hands of an institution (the State), the concentration of power within this institution in the hands of one man must be avoided at all costs. It requires solid institutions and solid democratic control. Corruption is an issue as well, that requires much monitoring.

- Complex societies create hundreds of new needs daily. Those can be needs for extremely small amounts of products, or new intermediary products used in some production process. If the production is wholly centralized, there will be a lag between the emergence of the need, and the time when it actually gets satisfied, after the whole bureaucratic process and allocation of resources take place. In these situations, individual initiative is much more efficient.