Introduction to Sociology
─ Economy
Summary
The definition of Economy is using enviornment to meet people's needs. It includes production, exchange, distribution, consumption and services. In ancient times, people do economic activities by subsistence farming and bartering things. Later, market has formed and money has appeared.
In this chapter also introduces system of economy such as capitalism and socialism. It tells us the goal of capitalism is continually create profits. To Karl Marx, Capitalism is new form of exploitation for production. He argues that this system will produce conflicts of status. In Capitalism system, The government accept private property and intervene in economy passively. However, This system has problems such as equality in wealth and power, monopoly, unemployment and gap between rich and poor.
Socialism is various theoires of sharing same amount of resources to each individual. In Socialism, the government intervene a lot with economy. For example, Government decide the products, service and price of them. Many sociologists criticize capitalism and instead they claim 'Socialism'. But, The results was not good as economists' expectation. So, The concept of 'Mixed Economy' appeared. Emile Durkheim said Socialism is desire of government to intervene in section of individual. Karl Marx said Socialism is pioneer of 'Communism'. Socialism also has problems such as It can lower prosperity of nation and Its system makes it difficult to decide rational economical decision making.
There are many indications to measure the level of economic activities. Among them, GDP(Gross Domestic Product) is useful tool to measure nation's wealth. Geni's coefficient indicates distribution of nation's consumption. The informal economy is also economic activity which does not include in GNP, but secretly is enacted.
My Opinion & Interesting Points
In last class, we've thought about 'Communism.' I have believed 'Communism' is bad before I read this articles and discuss about 'Communism' in class. Because I have a bad feelings for North Korea (a 'Communist nation' which is located very near in South Korea) as I can only hear bad news about North Korea. However, unlike my opinion, The background and foundation of Communism was appeared at first time with good intentions. As Karl Marx said, The system 'Communism' is based on Socialism. It surprised me.
Question & Discussion
I want to discuss why 'Communist nation' go in the opposite way contrary to first intention. Definitely, Sociologists do argue Socialism which emphasizes 'sharing' resources or equality. But, Nowadays, almost all Communist nation go wrong. Why?
# References
It is a video in both English and Korean. After watching this video, you can easily know about Socialism and Communism.
*copyright: from Google Search
Thank you :)
I had the bad cognition of communism like you. But I realize that intention of communism is pretty good. As your question, I want to investigate why good intention of communism has wrong way. It may be our assignment.
ReplyDeleteI have opinion about your question.
ReplyDeleteNormally, person come hard to fill target amount that are given from the outside when they aren't given incentive.
it's reason that communist nation went wrong.
Because the socialism country overlooked the efficiency. Proper competiotion and pay for effort can motivate people. But, socialism country just divided equally all. Basically, people are selfish. People who doesn't work hard and people who work hard are receive a reward same, people who work hard lose thier motivate and doesn't work hard, too. So, the economy is collapse more and more.
ReplyDelete