• Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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    2 days 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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        1 day 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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          1 day 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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            1 day 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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              1 day 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”

              • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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                1 day ago

                In China, the large firms and key industries are overwhelmingly publicly owned and planned, and the working class is in control of the state. I never once said capitalism is “when rich people” or that socialism is “when the government does stuff.”

                • aidan@lemmy.world
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                  1 day ago

                  the large firms and key industries are overwhelmingly publicly owned and planned

                  To not too dissimilar an extent as modern Russia

                  the working class is in control of the state.

                  Do you believe this for North Korea? If so, why not Russia?

                  • Cowbee [he/they]@lemmy.ml
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                    1 day ago

                    To a very dissimilar extent. The capitalists are in charge of the Russian state, and private ownership is the principle aspect of the economy. Russia has more state-owned firms than some other capitalist countries, but that’s about it, capitalists are thoroughly in control and private ownership is dominant.