this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2023
499 points (96.8% liked)
Memes
4028 readers
2 users here now
Good memes, bad memes, unite towards a united front.
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Yeah, when it comes to socialism, should be known that it isn't just wage leveling. Especially early on and without automation, some people will make more than others.
We're talking about a difference of the 1% owning about 15% of the wealth (as was the average during the Soviet Union's lifetime) vs. 1% to 60% (as is the case in contemporary Amerika). Doctors will likely make more than janitors for a long time.
Wage equalization is a protracted struggle, and a sign of the deterioration of the class structure as income disparity shrinks. It's a process.
It's a common accusation or hypothetical presented by anti-coms: why should a doctor who spent 8 years in school make more than an entry-level job? Well, we're not talking about immediate wage equalization. We're talking about workers setting their own wages collectively, and when workers control and plan the economy, we'll have a far more rational wage disparity. We already see this with profitable worker co-ops that can afford to charge ludicriously low prices for their services yet still afford to pay their employees well, oftentimes far better than bourgeois industries.
On this wage equalisation thing, me being more of a center left, don't really see it can work.
But ensuring that even the most lowly paid worker can afford getting fed, clothed, and (Arrrgh!) housed is crucial!
Also, workers having a voice in the operations is important. Not necessarily to give unions overarching power on the whole operations, but at least workers should be given a platform where we can voice our concerns to the management as equals. Let us feel like we matter and our opinions respected?
Like example, the Germans. Their corporations and unions have a more symbiotic relationship, and in return they get some of the most productive workforce in the world.
Meanwhile, in my home country Malaysia, unions are almost nonexistent, while employers have their own special interest group. Worker motivation is low, employee-employer trust is shit, wages is largely stagnant for at least 30 years etc. Result? Our productivity and innovation level is pathetic.