• Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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      2 days ago

      A mode of production where private ownership of the means of production is the principle aspect of the economy, ie over at least the large firms and key industries. Socialism is where public ownership is the principle aspect of the economy, and communism is a post-socialist mode of production where all production and distribution has been collectivized and is run to suit the needs of society. Economic planning is key to socialism and communism.

      • aidan@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        What is ownership? If I say you own a car, but take it and drive it whenever I want, even if you may own it- I control it. Given that context, is modern Russia socialist or capitalist?

        • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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          19 hours ago

          Modern Russia is capitalist, I don’t think anyone thinks it’s socialist anymore. The USSR dissolved over 3 decades ago. Ownership of property is protected by the state, be it public ownership or private ownership. Trying to abstract an analogy doesn’t actually work the same way at a societal level.

            • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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              9 hours ago

              Russia has a larger portion of state-owned industry as a holdover from the soviet era as compared to most capitalist countries, but they aren’t socialist and are dominated by capitalists. They do not have a working class state any longer.

              • aidan@lemmy.world
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                4 hours ago

                But it does not meet the definition of capitalism you gave. I agree its also not entirely socialist. It’s almost like its not a binary, most economies are mixed. The US is also not purely capitalist.

                • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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                  2 hours ago

                  Capitalism and socialism are determined by what’s principle. All economies have elements of private and public property, what matters is which is principle, and which class is in control. The US is capitalist, “purity” has nothing to do with that.

                  • aidan@lemmy.world
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                    2 hours ago

                    Except that is not the principle in either country. There are plenty of cases where the state is in principle in control, or actually in control. Russia, similar to other economies, such as fascist Italy or China is structured in such away where you can exist as a “private” company as long as you ultimately bow to the state. You could also put many of the gulf states into that club. If socialism is not “when government does stuff” then capitalism is not “when rich people”