[raganwald]

This is why I think of myself as a “local” socialist. Of course, the whole idea of capitalism is also for other people to experiment with different ways to accumulate capital, and one of those ways is to hinder and restrict my ability to be a libertarian socialist on a small scale, e.g. patent trolling.

I’m not saying capitalism doesn’t work, just that as practiced today it’s a mixed bag.

[davidw]

> I’m not saying capitalism doesn’t work, just that as practiced today it’s a mixed bag.

Like democracy. It kind of sucks, and produces people like Silvio Berlusconi. But it still beats the alternatives.

[mtts]

Or it only works in societies that are egalitarian enough to prevent an oligarch like Berlusconi or Thaksin Shinawatra () from using his wealth to incite the poor to become his foot soldiers.

() or Julius Caesar

[davidw]

Much as Berlusconi sucks, he'll be gone some day, and people will pick up the pieces, and things will still be an awful lot better than in places run by real dictators. I'm still free to call Berlusconi an asshole without secret police swooping down and taking me away in the night.

[mtts]

Julius Caesar gave way to Augustus (who in turn gave way to Tiberius, Nero, Claudius and Caligula).

I wouldn't get your hopes up.

[davidw]

> Julius Caesar gave way to Augustus (who in turn gave way to Tiberius, Nero, Claudius and Caligula).

> I wouldn't get your hopes up.

What do Roman emperors have to do with Berlusconi, besides being short, and the geographic location they have in common?

Are you seriously suggesting a parallel between the events of 2000 years ago and now, based on the fact that they happen to be based in Rome? Do you suppose Berlusconi is going to march over the Alps and invade France? Perhaps Sarkozy and a band of stalwart Gauls will resist Berlusconi's onslaught in a small village?