Every time I enjoy a feeling of particular pleasure in the accomplishments of humanity, I am minded that the success is usually brought about by a combination of will, mutual benefit, and some amount of leadership. The motivators behind each of these factors tends to shift largely dependent on the cultural and economic standards of the locale whence the initiative springs. Someone has a dream...an idea, and that someone is able to see a benefit beyond the satisfying of their own desires--perhaps the desires of many are satisfied, or perhaps the satisfaction arises from the successful development of a tool to successfully satisfy further desires. Without getting embroiled in too much detail, my point is that inspiration to contribute to a good work requires the identification of that work as good, as manageable, and as useful by more than one person--therefore leadership becomes implied, and granted.
Socialism has been a fuzzy concept since its inception, and only grows fuzzier with each successive attempt at codification and execution. Based on the underlying assumptions of the root word, I judge socialism to be that form of governance which most carefully seeks the greatest benefit to the greatest number of governed, soemtimes at the expense of the most successful. The further extrapolation of the concept for me is to ensure that socialist governance enhances the ability of the most successful to grow their success, for the greater good of the greatest number of governed, and to ensure that the greatest number of the governed have the opportunities to contribute to the success of the so-geverned state.
For a planet to have more than one government is inefficient. The optimum for of governance is cerntral in nature, not absolute, and with an admixture of codified and precedent-based legalism.
The essential tenets in my proffered form of social-market governance:
1. Business must be allowed to operate freely, with healthy competition and little fear from corruption, market aberrations, or regulatory impedance.
1a. Corruption must be actively quashed, government administration must be above cavil, must be open and accesible, must be understandable at all levels, and should strive to be a directly accountable to its customers as any business it regulates.
1b. Market stability and free fluctuation is an essential product of a mercantile, free, and accessible economy. Regulatory bodies must ensure that the rules set forth are sound and adhered to, that business does not seek to reduce competition through illegal (not to be confused with unfair) practice. Government receives its special regulatory ability through the requirements of individuals to be protected from the power of collective individuals (either corporations, or similar associations).
1c. Regulatory bodies and acts must be consistent and open to change, moribund legislation hampers healthy growth and commerce.
2. Taxation must be predictable, fair, and transparent.
2a. Rates must be fixed, with consensual acceptance of the levels set for the varying segments of the social economy, exceptions must be broad ranging, and temporary, subject to periodic review.
2b. Rates must be in line with the expectations of profit, inflation, and the needs of the regulatory bodies. Surplusses in government accounts should me reinvested in sovereign market funds to reduce the overall tax laibility of society.
2c. Rates must be published in broadly accessible formats. All addenda, subtaxes, exceptions, reductions, and rebates should be codified in simple terms.
3. Economic stability and accessibility creates the opportunity for society to advance.
3a. The duty of Government is to enhance the opportunity for its citizens to partake in the market economy. This requires reducing barriers to entry, fiduciary burdens on businesses, and regulatory hurdles. This requires enhancing markets, resources, and intellectual capital.
4. Education, universal and excellent.
4a. Government is in a special position to provide and create intellectual opportunities for the citizenry, from whom new leaders in industry, arts, and government are procured.
5. Government must behave as both citizen and business.
5a. Government is a political body, and as such, has the power to act as an individual with highly enahnced power--this power must be directed to socially acceptable and beneficial goals.
5b. Government is funded by its constituents, and must be responsive and adhere to the same conditions it sets forth to business and society. Government which fails to operate efficiently must be changed. [See Appendix X for the process of government activity and renewal.]
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