David Lane

Socialism has often been seen as a flawed system of government.  People say that socialism would inevitably fail due to the society’s lack of motivation to work.  Could it actually be, in conjunction with Christianity, the most successful and biblically-based form of government known to man?  Could it be better than capitalism?  Socialism is defined as “a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and means of production and distribution of all products in the community as a whole.”  Socialism promotes the welfare of all people, it negates the fundamental idea of narcissism shown in capitalism, and it resembles a hope for mankind.

Socialism is a governmental system that endorses the good of all as a number one priority.  Bertrand Russell, a British philosopher and social critic, sums up socialism and the ideal form of government as “communal ownership of land and government.”  This means, “[b]asic economic decisions, as well as political decisions, must reflect the common good.  The entire economy should operate for the good of the entire society, with no one left behind.  No private concentrations of capital or other wealth, and no other types of private concentrations of power.  The end of money’s domination over society.  The end of the priority of property and private greed.  Socialism will complete what democracy began — the transfer of sovereignty in all spheres from elites to the people” (Orwell).  Government should support the good for all people, not for an individual.  This does not mean you do not look after your own welfare in any way.  Rather, it means the welfare of others is equally as important to you as your personal well-being.  Socialism can be a great form of government and all the above can be true but not without Christ as the center of everything.  The main counter argument to socialism is there would be no motivation to do work.  Apart from Christianity this is true, but when we look at the primary source of motivation for Christians we see socialism provides a logical and perfect source of motivation.  Our motives should be solely based on Christ.  We do everything to serve Him and lift His name high.  If our ultimate goal is to serve God, then we as a people group under God could be entirely motivated to live, work, and function for the glory of Him.

Capitalism has a narcissistic view on personal gain and welfare, and socialism supports the Christian ideals of compassion and mercy.  There is no doubt capitalism motivates people to gain for themselves, and that is not wrong in it of itself, but it is wrong when we put our personal desires over the care of those less fortunate.  Capitalism drives us to gain and succeed through the ownership of product.  Karl Marx, when discussing capitalism, says, “Everything in nature and everything that human beings are and can do becomes an object: a resource for, or an obstacle to, the expansion of production, the development of technology, the growth of markets, and the circulation of money.  For those who manage and live from capital, nothing has value of its own.  Mountain streams, clean air, human lives all mean nothing in themselves but are valuable only if they can be used to turn a profit.  If capital looks at (not into) the human face, it sees there only eyes through which brand names and advertising can enter and mouths that can demand and consume food, drink, and tobacco products.  If human faces express needs, then either products can be manufactured to meet, or seem to meet, those needs, or else, if the needs are incompatible with the growth of capital, then the faces expressing them must be unrepresented or silenced.”  Capitalism’s food industry is not about feeding people who need to be fed.  It is about making the cheapest products to make money and in the process people have the option to eat but only if they have the means of purchasing it.  Capitalism turns medical issues such as caring for the sick into a way to get money from people who are forced to spend money in order to live.  In contrast, socialism is a government system that would provide for the needs of all people, and a joint stock of all products would ensure people are fed, people are helped medically, and everyone receives equal opportunities in all areas of life.  In essence, capitalism makes everything about profit, and socialism makes everything about the care of all people as a whole.  Once again, though, this cannot happen without Christ being the foundation of that government.  God has to be first, and His law has to be promoted above all else in order for a socialistic society to be successful.

Socialism presents a hope for man to have the capacity to care for others and live out certain biblical mandates.  Acts 2: 44-45 discusses the fellowship of believers and their desire to share all things and praise God together as a group of equals who are sincere at heart: “All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”  This obviously supports socialism, especially in conjunction with Christianity.  As Christians, we should be filled with the love of Christ always and always be willing to share our possessions and live in community with each other with Christ as head.  Later in Acts 4:32-35, Luke explains a perfect picture of government by the disciples that undoubtedly is also a parallel to socialism.  “All believers were one in heart and mind.  No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.  With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.  There were no needy persons among them.  For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”  This passage gives hope to mankind.  We do have the capacity to care for one another in a completely sincere and selfless way.  We have the ability to share our possessions and provide for all people as equals, under one God living in community with Him.  On the contrary, capitalism negates this idea of complete equality.  Even if Christians do share their wealth with the poor in a capitalist society, it would not completely account for all the needy.  A government, under God, that provides equal amounts of product and service to all people is the hope found in the Bible.  The hope in capitalism is the hope for more product, while the hope in socialism is the hope for all product to be used for the good of others.  This is exemplified by John D. Rockefeller.  During the Industrial Revolution, he worked endlessly to build up a fortune, but whenever he was asked what his goal was in terms of wealth, he always replied that he wanted just a bit more.  Capitalism encourages corporate giants like John Rockefeller to work for their personal gain.  People like Rockefeller kept their money and merely were content with the power they possessed through capital goods rather than distributing that wealth to those who truly needed it.

Socialism can be a successful form of government.  It must be based on biblical principles, and it must have Christ as the ultimate authority.  Socialism promotes the well-being of all people in a society.  It provides for all.  Socialism does not support the promotion of self but rather the promotion of your neighbor.  It encourages selfless behavior and demotes selfish and greedy behavior.  Socialism presents a hope for mankind to live equally under a gracious God and gives all man an equal ground to live, worship, and work for the glory of God.

Works Cited