Like capitalism, socialism is both a political and economic system. Although
authoritarian socialism certainly is abominable, democratic socialism is evidently
imaginable.





In the competition between capitalism and socialism, the dominant governments
today have embraced and adopted some brand or form of capitalism.

But, the socialist opposition carries on; and so, the competition goes on.





The question of capitalism is not settled. The socialist challenge is not silenced.





The present capitalist victory may not always endure into the future.





Socialism requires natural altruism; not super-natural altruism, not super-human
unselfishness.  Human beings are naturally both selfish and selfless; and, we are
free to be selfless. To be both selfish and selfless is rational, because in a time of
material scarcity selfishness is in the driver's seat, while in a time of material surplus
selflessness exercises more control over our energies and activities. Most socialists
believe that material abundance is one of the most essential and important
pre-requisites for a workable democratic socialism. Socialism does not deny natural
human selfishness and greed; rather, socialism recognizes that human beings are
also selfless and generous, that every human being can be sensibly altruistic and
suitably sociable.

Yes, people will always be naturally selfish, and this will never change; but, people
will also be naturally compassionate, sociable, open-handed and charitable, and this
also will never change.





"True generosity consists precisely in fighting to destroy the causes which nourish
false charity."
-- Paulo Freire