Marx+and+Smith+Questions+Page

=Welcome to the Marx and Smith Questions Page!=

There is no possible way any of the ideas about capitalism and socialism can be resolved. There are problems and questions within each system.

This page is to explore questions about each philosophy. My hope is that we can pose questions to one another, answer them with more questions, and open up a true dialogue where individuals can think about these questions and topics.

Remember: Everyone is impacted by these questions. (If you intend on using money at any point in your life, you are impacted by this discussion. Even if you swear off money, you are bound to it because the rest of the world is. In this, our discussion has relevance.)

First off, click on this link that explores Capitalism in a very kid friendly manner with some powerful questions and even more hyperlinks to assist you.

Then, click on this link that explores Socialism in a very kid friendly manner with some powerful thoughts and hyperlinks to assist you.

With these, let the questions begin... and, of course, I will start.

1) Which philosophy is more consistent with the Constitution's intent? Explain your thoughts.

Smith's philosophies would be more constitutional than Marx's ideas because his socialism is a lot more fair than capitalism, and because Smith promotes individual freedom. --Sage D period 2

Smith would because Socialism is more favorable than Capitolism because even though people like money they want to take down the rich person as well Nick S period 1

I believe that it was consistent with marks because the idea is that everything was supposed to be fair but money is not fair and some people were born into a poor environment and was born into a disadvantage Jack M

I think Smith's is more consistent with the constitution because he believes that everybody has an equal chance and the constitution believes in fairness and equality. - Halie S. <3 <3 <3 <3

I think that the Constitution is more consistent with the ideas of Socialism but it did not apply to everyone at the time it was written. Even though this is true, the government supports capitalism through their ideas. Scott period 2

What's the point of sharing the wealth if there isn't any wealth to share? People that are in the "1%" either earned their money fairly or unfairly, but they accomplished their goals instead of sitting back, complaining, and asking other people for money. Money is earned, not handed to you. I know that everyone being equal is a main point in the constitution, but for such a variable as money, it can't really be contained to a mere document. Griffin Shaw

The philosophy if Socialism is more consistent with the Constitution because Capitalism is the idea of few people being rich and everybody else is poor. The Constitution wanted a fair society where everybody has an equal chance to succeed. Socialism is all about everybody sharing the wealth. Ally Period 1

I think Socialism is the more dominant idea in the Constitution, as Ally said. There are far more obscenely rich people in the US then there are those that are poor. Plus it's easier to be poor than it is to be rich, so the Constitution wanted to give the people that are poor a chance to be 'up there' with the rich people. Now in today's society, there hasn't been much improvement as the unemployment rate is higher than ever. But if people follow the Constitution, they'll realize it's trying to contradict what's happening now. Rory 1st period

I think that Smith's idea are more involved and about the constitution than Marx's ideas James Cousin Period 2

I disagree with Ally. I think that Capitalism is more consistent because there //are// more poor people in the world, just because I think this, doesn't mean I am okay with it. It's just like Mr. Kannan's example, if I have $100 I will soon have to split that with 3 more people, we each have $25, and it will keep going down and down an down until we are //all// left with the same amount of money that the poor people started with. It doesn't change anything. -Caroline Orlin Period: 1

I don't think that Socialism is happening in our Society, but it is what the Constitution was looking for. The Constitution wanted a fair nation, but that does not mean that our nation is fair. I agree that we live in a Capitalist society. Ally Period 1 I think socialism is consistent with the constitution because the founding fathers were striving for a more perfect union and to promote the general welfare. They wanted a fair, equal government unlike when they were in Britain. On the other hand, Capitalism was implied in the constitution in the statement "secure the blessings of liberty." Overall socialism was favored in the constitution because more ideas were about government power.Henry V, Period 1

I think Socialism is more consistent with the constitution, because that way america is a full 100%, not 99 and 1. Also, just because Marx says everyone is "poor" doesn't mean they actually are. Technically, Marx says that if your income is 1 million dollars per year your poor, but that is still plenty of money. It gives people the oppurtunity to be somewhat wealthy, and gets rid of the super rich 1%. This makes America more fair. Jordan Mann

7) I believe that Socialism goes better with the constitution better than capitalism. Socialism says that everyone has to be rich, but few people can get rich. Socialism says that everyone should be equal and capitalism just wants everything to be rich.(danny m)

Capitalism is about a couple of people being rich, and the rest of the people being poor. But what it really wants is everyone having a chance to achieve. This is not true nobody will ever be. lindsey z per:2

I think Lindsey makes a really interesting point here, and it's entirely true. They make it seem like capitalism gives everybody a chance, but really, it all depends on where you are from, who you are related to, and unfortunately, race and religion. Griffin Shaw Period 2

//**I think the Constitution wanted capitalism one of the goals of the Constitution was to form a more perfect union. This show that idea because America with grow with a new industrial society and each time they make a mistake like making kids work in dangerous conditions, but government tries to get it right and now kids can not work until they have legally reached the age of sixteen years old.**// //**Sofie Period 1 :)**//

I think capitalism is more consistent with the Constitution because people thought capitalism was fair. The Constitution wanted everyone to be equal and fair, even though it wasn't. The poor people were not on the same level as the rich. Aja Per.1

I believe that socialism was a concept that the Constitution tries to present. The Constitution is always about how everyone is on the same level and everyone has a chance to do something great. It talks about how America is so fair and free but it isn't. There is always going to be some sort of capitalism. - Grace R. per.2

I believe that the Constitution is more of a Socialist document for a couple of reasons. The Constitution embraces the concept of Voltaire. If we cannot take care of the lowest in society, how can we take care of the richest in society? This is completely a Marxist idea because it breaks the barrier between the super rich and the hobo's living on the street. It gives the hobo's the same chance to get equal money as the J.P Morgans. In //U.S v. Nixon,// President Nixon was told by the Supreme Court that not even he, a very powerful individual, had to obey the law. That is a decision Marx would agree with. Even the most powerful have to follow the law, just like the poor people living in shelter homes.- Bob H.

I consider the philosophy of Capitalism to be more in line of the goals of the Constitution. This is primarily because the Constitution was designed for a country that was meant to be Capitalist, and it's design reflects that.

2) If Capitalism is perceived as more inhumane and more cruel, why have more nations adopted it over Socialism? Explain your thoughts.

Capitalism is adopted over Socialism because a lot of people believe they could be in the 1%. Will G 2

I think that cap. is adopted over soc. b/c people want MONEY! Nick S period 2

If people dont choose capitalism, they will be left behind in the economy. This is because everyone chooses capitalism, and those who don't most likely fail. Everyone wants a chance at the American Dream. -Julia C period 2

Because it's simply easier to say that the rich and successful can have power over the power. It would be to hard to split or share the wealth with every single person. And according to Smith, there is an invisable hand that will help the people that are unsuccessful. But in real life, those unsuccessful people don't try to start a new business all over again. They end up working in Burger King or as Mailman or some other job like that. -Halie S. <3 <3 <3 <3

I believe that societies adopted this because we enjoy competition and not a routine for life they also like to have power but in socialism there is no upper power so people have very little exitment sure people have a horrible lives because of it but were willing to risk that. Jack M.

I think people are choosing Capitalism over Socialism because they want to agree with Socialism but they can't. Money is becoming the center of human life and nobody can really help it. -Julia Barcia 2

I agree with Julia, as much as we want everything to revolve around capitalism, money plays a huge a role in our society now. - Jittaun Taylor

People have adopted Capitalism over Socialism because it works better. Most people don't want to share their wealth that they worked hard to get with another. Someone will always want more because that's human nature. There will always be someone who will rise up above the others. No one wants to earn the same amount of money as someone who does less work. Another reason is that it's hard to form a government around socialism. If you can form a government like that, it's a bit hypocritical. If everyone is equal how can there be political officials that have more power.

Cole period 1 i agree with cole 100%. i also think thatt people are just tired of being poor and start being cruel and inhumane and dont think about anyone else. then they wanna be on top of the world and get higher then the rest of us middle class. the money you earn comes from work and it isnt fair if you get the same amount of money as someone else and they did all the work not cool. everyone in the world are not and nowhere near equal. becuase there are lots of people that have more pwer then we do (jheckelman) period 2 I think that one reason that capitalism is veiwed as a better choice is because in Socialism, everyone is poor, while in capitalism some people are rich, and in some cases that is seen as better. Also, the aspects of capitalism are more suitable styles of living than that of Socialism. In Socialism there is no reason to thrive when the money you earn is going to be taken. In capitalism, you get what you earn. In some cases this is more fair, like a McDonald's drive through worker is paid less than a police officer, but is an NBA player earning more than a lawyer really fair either? Scott period 2 I believe that capitalism has been chosen over socialism more often because capitalism is easier to maintain.Capitalism is easier to maintain because it is more individualized and less government involved. Henry V, period 1

I believe that Capitalism has been adopted because the "Winners" have the power so people are going to listen to them and they favor Capitalism.So ultimately that will be the one that most nations will adopt. Henry H, Period 1

I think more nations have adopted Capitalism despite the fact that it is often viewed as cruel because it is easier to maintain. in capitalism rich people have power and the people who support capitalism are often rich. those who oppose capitalism are ignored. in socialism everyone is "poor" and there will always be some people that are greedy, these people put themselves in positions of high power and transform socialist nations into dictatorships. people are afraid of this outcome so they will not even try socialism and the only other relatively safe alternative is capitalism. Lia 2nd period

I think Capitalism is adopted because that is what gets people power. The people with money have more power than the lower class, and the politicians are being re-elected through support of these people. I bet Rick Perry would loose some of that Texas flair when the union suddenly woke up and decided it would become a Socialist society. Another reason is that Capitalism keeps us afloat in the worldwide economy (although we are sailing like the Titanic). Investors all around the world can rely on these business men.- Bob H. People have adopted Capitalism over Socialism because they only think in terms of themselves. Individuals figure that they have just as good a chance as anyone else to make it big, and in a capitalist world, that's a heck of a lot easier to do. People don't really care if there are others suffering because of capitalism, but just so long as it works for them, they're OK with it. Rory period 1

Countries decide to adopt capitolizm because the leaders, who decide, are one of the Bourgeoisie who make tons of money at the expense of others. they don't care if others are broke they just want money so they find a way for their country to adopt capitolizm.- Noah I period 2

I believe that Capitalism was adopted by the majority of relevant countries because it allows the most profit. While Socialism is designed behind the sharing of wealth, Capitalism is about everyone working in their own self interest. --James M, 1st Period

3) Where do you see strengths in capitalism? Explain.

I think that the strength in capitalism is the ability to do better then others. The ability succeed and do better then others. - Parker Period 1

Well I mean capitalism inspires people to do great things to make money. If everybody had the same wealth then there would be no one saying I want to do something great. And yes, many people don't gain the upper hand but the real hard workers do end up on top. I mean now a days, not alot of bosses treat their employees poorly anymore, and if they do the employees can sue the hell out of them. I mean if you keep doing the same thing, you keep receiving the same thing. Capitalism is the much needed push. - Halie S. <3 <3 <3

Capitalism has the strength of having a system of class, and having leaders. If the the leaders are good, then it is good. but if the leaders are bad it sucks.Also, if you are on the bottom of the system it is bad. Will G 2

I think the strength is power and money than most people. Nick S period 1

The 'American Dream' is all about Capitalism. Work hard, get paid, and eventually you'll be on top. It's an inspiration as Halie said, but it's also an ominous force that people fear as well. For instance, Capitalism works for the people that control it, but for the thousands or however many people that suffer from it, it doesn't work. IT gets things done, though, because there can't be nine billion heads of production if there's no factory workers or minimum wage jobs to do the actual grunt work. But since it is inhumane, it's also see as bad. Rory period 1

**Capitalism gives people hope that they will be able to make millions when only a few people like Rockefeller and Carnegie. Capitalism also can trick immigrants into thinking they can do what Carnegie did when he came here. That is, make millions** **Emma Neville** **Period 1** i agree and dont agree. only a few peole with that dream benefit from it. so all of those people get there hopes up on a stupid dream to be a millionare. this can somewhat be a problem to immagrants and that could be the resaon they immigrate to america. to try and get rich and becime a millionare but only few of them suceed. (jheckelman) period 2

I think, like a lot of people above, that a major weakness in Capitalism is how only a couple of people own a lot of the money. This does not allow the wealth to be distributed equally among the classes. This will eventually end in the 99% going on strike and fighting the 1%. This overthrowing is represented in the Occupy movement. This eventually leads to outright fighting, which will lead to Socialism. So I guess another weakness of Capitalism is that, over a LONG, LONG, LONG, LONG period of time, the workers will eventually take over the Capitalist people and bring society to a Socialist society. - Bob H. 1

If there is one good thing about capitalism, it is that it drives the country. America grew because of want of getting rich. People like Leland Stanford did grow America even though he didn't treat his workers nicely. Capitalism is about getting rich and money and America grew because of money. - Grace R. per.2

//**I think capitalism is very strong because sometimes your strength in life determines how much money you have.**// //**Sofie Period 1 :)**//

**I think that capitalism is strong because there people who are rich and people who are poor there aren't any middle classes, it depends how much money you own. So obviously people will favor the rich and give them power.** **Josie Period 1**

The only strength I see in capitalism is that people who were rich, they have power. Aja Per.1

i see the strength in Capitalism in the fact that it is possible to succeed and do better than others. it is possible to be rich, in socialism every one is poor. Lia 2nd period

I think capitalism only shows strengths to some people since people can have more money than others. When I means strengths I mean more privlileges than other since the more money brings more privlileges. Gavin S. 2nd period

I think that capitalization strength is that there is a strength is because there are many poor people and rich and in between (Jack M.)

I think the strength in capitalism is that it gives people a chance to make a lot of money, and in socialism that chance isn't really there. It makes it so that if you don't work hard you won't make money, and if you do you'll have a chance at making a lot of money. Jordan Mann

I agree with Lia...I also think a strength is that you can be more wealthy then other people, when in socialism you are poor. -Elise T.

The strength in Capitalism, in most cases, is that it allows for an extremely large amount of money to be given to certain people. People like John D. Rockefeller would most certainly have nowhere near the amount of money they had under Capitalism had the been in a Socialist Nation. --James, Period 1

4) Where do you see strengths in socialism? Explain. i see one strength in socialism. when all of us are equal there can be no one saying thats not fair you have more then me. everyone gets the same amount of everything in socialism not capitalism.

A strength of Socialism is that everybody isn't poor, but they also aren't rich, so know body is happy, but nobody is sad. Will G 2

A strength I see in Socialism is that everyone is equal. It's also following the Constitution by saying justice equals fairness and everyone is equal. -Julia Barcia Period 2

One strength I see in socialism is that everyone is equal, and no can complain about someone else having more than they do. Lia 2nd period

I agree with Lia. A large strength in socialism is that every is equal and has the equal chance to succed. Jay H p.2

The strength in Socialism is that it is fair to the "99%" instead of the "1%", which keeps the majority of the people happy in comparison to just those who hold the money. --James M, 1st

5) Where do you see weaknesses in capitalism? Explain.

One weakness is that not everybody ends up a "winner" in capitalism. - Halie S. <3 <3 <3 <3 I think that the weaknesses in capitalism is that most people will end up being on the poor side.-Ava

In Capitalism a weakness is that once people reach the top, they are in total power and can destroy peoples lives with a flick of their fingers. Will G 2

I see a a couple weaknesses in capitalism. One weakness is if people only care about money, money will take over the world and we will all turn into workers without caring about anything besides money. Another way is we begin to forget what really is important in life besides getting money and how much money you earn. -Julia Barcia Period 1

//**I completely agree with Julia. Money is good to have and is a strong aspect of America, but soon it can get to your head and you could be a person who only cares about how much money you earn and make you forget about what kinds of dangers your workers are going through.**// //**SOFIEEEE PERIOD 1 :)**//

One weakness I see in capitalism is that the "winners" only cared about money and they didn't share it with the poor people. Aja Per.1

some weaknesses that capitalism has are, that in capitalism money is everything and those without money are seen as having nothing even if they are happier than other people. another weaknes is that in capitalism there is always someone with more money than you so people want more and more money and can never be satisfied. one last weakness is that for every person who is well off and has "succeeded" there are many more who have "failed" Lia 2nd period.

One strength in socialism would be that everyone is equal. Everyone is on the same level and everything is fair. There would be no complaining because there is nothing to complain about. With socialism, it upholds the Constitution because that is what it is all about, everyone is equal. - Grace R. per.2

There are some definite weaknesses in Capitalism. One weakness is that everyone cares about money and only money. For example, while railroad owners are making millions, they are too busy rolling around in it than caring about what there workers are making and how bad there working conditions are. Naomi G period 2.

The weaknesses in capitalism are that there are too many losers and not enough winners. The 1% is unfair and is determined too much by luck. Jordan Mann

I think one weakness of Capitolizm is the idea that everyone in it has equal opportunities, which i think is complete bull crap. No one starts with the same opportunities as someone else, and for many reasons. One reason is that some people get inheritances whereas others don't. If your parents are super rich, chances are that you will be super rich. If your parents are super poor then you still have a chance of becoming super rich, but you have to work A LOT harder and your chances of succeeding are a lot smaller then a wealthy child.- Noah I period 2

6) Where do you see weaknesses in socialism? Explain.

I agree with Ava. Socialism isn't fair. Unlike in monopoly, not everyone is given the same amount of money to start out with. In real life the kids who come from rich/ wealthy families will end up more successful while kids coming form lower class families will have a harder time. Not every child of a poor family ends up poor (example: Justin Bieber) but most likely that's what happens. - Halie S. <3 <3 <3 <#

A weakness of socialism is that everyone controls everything, so everybody has to agree to move forward. Will G 2

If everyone got paid the same but did different amounts of work, someone would stand up and say "That's not fair." Socialism would fall apart, because there would be that one person who thought they should be paid more than the person sitting next to them. -Avery B.

I think the weaknesses in socialism is that not everyone has a fair chance.-Ava

I agree with Ava that in Socialism not everyone has a fair chance and that also is going against the Constitution saying everyone is equal and justice=fairness. Another weakness is that it can either give everything to you or take everything away. -Julia Barcia Period 2

exactly people need to get paid based on how much work they do. it's never fair to give someone a full share when they did absolutely nothing. if you did nothing you dont deserve to get anything as my mom says. (jheckelman) period 2

I completely agree with Jheckel and Avery. I think it is totally unfair if someone gets paid for doing nothing which is a big weakness in socialism. It would be fair if people got paid based on what they contributed to their work. Naomi G period 2

Even though the constitution was written so that everyone would have an equal chance, it benefits the rich and it benefits the rich because the constitution was written by rich white men. That is why i believe the constitution supports capitalism. Diego Firpo Period 1

I think that socialism has the problem that there will always be jealous people and people will always want more. Morgan Jurgus per 2

I see a weakness in socializim because there must be a poweror else there is war because if there is no higher power someone will want to have higher power then there going to use physical force to acomplish this andthen the same person will retaliate and so on Jack M

I agree with Naomi and the people that she agreed with. I don't think people deserve to get equally paid if your not doing equal work. In burlesque, all these people who's hardest part of their job is to ask " do you want fries with that?" Don't deserve as much as the office execs and C.E.O.s. - Raesean C.