Is there a theoretical model of society, or one that worked perfectly well in the past, that would suit the world best?
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Socialist DemocracyVoted for by UpsideDownFrown.
Consider a Socialist Democracy. That is, a social model in which the "essential" industries are nationalized, labor laws are set, and Democracy is the number one rule.
It is much simpler than just "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" (which is actually an anarchist principle, not a communist one).
What it is, is the essential industries (power production, food, water, transportation, communication, defense, and defense R&D) are nationalized by the government. Therefore, we are taxed on all these things, but don't have to pay as much for them. For example, if you're accessing this page on AOL, then you wouldn't be billed AOL's ridiculous monthly fees, but instead it would be a lower percentage on your tax form. The Stop&Shop would be a lot cheaper (perhaps more bland, but at least never out of food), and to account for the surplus you'd be taxed on it.
Democracy is absolute. That means, there are no political parties, nor is there the vile institution of the Electoral College. Three times in America's history, Presidents have been elected without winning the actual majority, only the majority of electoral votes (George Bush, Jr. was one such person). This would be absolute rule of the people: we elect each official, not a new party that would replace every office with its own cronies.
At the same time, however, economic laws would be designed to maintain a close, economic equilibrium. Monopoly laws would be exactly defined, child labor would cease to exist, the minimum wage would be raised, taxes would be proportional to wealth (for example, in the American social model, a corporation is taxed exactly as one regular human being would be. They can, however, become excessively wealthy). Therefore, higher taxes on wealther people, lower taxes on poorer people.
Businesses would get a cap on their growth rate. This would serve two purposes: -Eliminate monopolies by maintaining a constant competition and growth ceiling, insuring higher quality products and no hostile takeovers -Eliminate "bursted bubbles," such as the bursted dotCom bubble that damaged America severely in the late '90's, and of course, the splatter effect caused by the Great Depression, all because of our current market model.
The nationalized industires serve the purpose of eliminating political corruption. Right now, for example, a lot of politicians exist simply to act as lobbyists for the arms industry, etc.
Scientific research would never be nationalized, however. It is the ultimate form of competition, as it is competition of ideas, and a technological development (outside of the military) could never be nationalized. This is a fairly complicated one, try this example: a new type of steel could be invented that would make invincible tanks, but this could not be nationalized, because 95% of its purpose is non-military. A new type of radar, however, could be, because 95% of its purpose is military.
I believe this is a fairly simple social model, and does not involve much change: for America today, it would be a simple matter of extending nationalized industry (most of the power and transportation industries, the military, and military R&D) are already nationalized, and it would merely be a matter of tougher corporate responsibility laws, and a new tax code to place a bigger burden on the rich.
Thoughts? Your own models?
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