Capitalism vs. Socialism: A Soho Forum Debate

"Socialism is preferable to capitalism as an economic system that promotes freedom, equality, and prosperity."
-------

---------

That proposition was the subject of a November 5, 2019, debate hosted by the Soho Forum, a monthly debate series sponsored by Reason. Arguing in favor of the resolution was Richard D. Wolff, an economist at the University of Massachusetts and the author, most recently, of Understanding Marxism. Taking the other side was former Barron's economics editor Gene Epstein, who is also the Soho Forum's co-founder and director. Reason's Nick Gillespie served as moderator.

It was an Oxford-style debate, in which the audience votes on the resolution at the beginning and end of the event; the side that gains the most ground is victorious. It was a packed house, with about 450 people in attendance. The pre-debate vote found that 25 percent of the audience agreed that socialism was preferable to capitalism, 49.5 percent picked capitalism as the better system, and 25.5 percent were undecided. Despite a technical problem at the event itself, the Soho Forum was able to recover the final vote totals, which saw support for socialism drop by half a percentage point and support for capitalism increase to 71 percent.

Produced by John Osterhoudt
Photo Credit: Brett Raney

[Brogle]

The thumbnail looks like Bernie Sanders vs Bernie Sanders

[timothynesbitt]

We were accidentally on purpose not taught economics at school

[m.e.p.r]

The thing that struck me the most throughout the debate, is how two people with vehemently opposing views, respected each other, actively listened and could engage in heated conversation, without resorting to petty insults and underhandedness. They both remained lazer focused throughout and even managed to find some common ground. In parts of the debate they stood up and protected the others right to speak and be heard, when heckled by audience members.

A lack of civility and the inability to respect a political opponent in this way, is perhaps the greatest threat to modern democracy, politics and freedom of expression we currently face.

This is what serious people sound like. Very different from our world leaders isnt it?

[pvenoob]

Don't you just love it when people actually reason?

[alecgorman]

This beats watching two 17 year olds duet each other on TikTok

[holly]

"This moderator was terrible"
Capitalist bootlickers 🤝 Socialists

[QueenOfMud]

The moderator was extremely unprofessional.

Several snarky comments towards Prof. Wolff with no chance to address them, and downright rude commenting on the appearance and gender of the questioners.

[Geraldo]

Great debate from two extremely interesting men, even a terrible moderator who struggled to hide his own bias couldn't ruin it

[brandonvillatuya]

A person that sounds like Bernie Sanders vs a person that looks like Bernie Sanders.

[bigsmoke]

*Don't let this comment distract you from the fact that mr krabs once sold spongebobs soul for 62 cents*

[jefflo]

that moderator is the only thing i dont like about this debate

[hannahmaria]

Every comment I’ve read on this comment section refers to the respectful conduct both use throughout the debate. If that doesn’t highlight the depth the current political debate system has sunk to, don’t know what does…

[jasonkk]

I learned what capitalism and communism is only after I graduated high school.

[fercojurado]

Scroll down the comments to see a bunch of people not addressing any arguments made

[lavonnacasey]

This is what a debate sounds like. The crap we are used to on television is not.

[the_dank_kidx]

I like how instead of the debaters calling each other petty names, they respectively stated their points and argued them out, thats what im interested in!

[cade]

The moderator thought everyone was there to listen to him

[vookudlak]

Moderator "I'm going to be a nazi"
First person to ask a question " hello I am from Germany" lmfao

[Linda-wozr]

My husband's brother was reading a book on marxism in high school and he got suspended from school. The US the land of the free. Haha

[mr.newhaven]

I can really appreciate a healthy debate and open dialogue.