Progressive Imperalism

Under progressivism peace isn't possible

The economics of progressivism — socialism — is inherently imperialistic.

Hitler, for instance, plundered other nations and stole from his political targets to finance extensive domestic redistribution.

This is because looting is a political necessity under socialism. People can only have so much taken from them before they quit trying to create businesses and make money.

And when people give up like this then there’s no room for economic growth.

Socialist countries must then take from another country in order to continue to subsidize their complacent populations.

Second, socialists’ unwavering commitment to universal equality leads them to launch crusades against other nations that don’t share the same commitment.

Which has the predictable outcome of producing global resentment towards progressives who insist that they know what’s best for people in foreign countries.

So much for tolerance!

Compare this to capitalism -- i.e. open markets, voluntary exchange, and entrepreneurialism that -- Americans have helped spread world wide.

In China the spread of capitalism liberalized an otherwise communist regime and brought millions out of global poverty -- at least when capitalism was allowed to flourish sans Mao’s country side genocide.

Likewise across the globe capitalism increased the length and quality of millions of lives. Now people of the world live more comfortable lives without fear of ubiquitous disease.

But most importantly capitalism has created a big middle class full of people who permanently retired oppressive monarchs and aristocratic snobs from the world stage.

All of which was done without imperialistic violence.

So socialists let it be known -- prosperity is peace made through the magic of markets!

Zigmund Reichenbach has an M.A. in Philosophy from West Chester University and works as an advocate for less government. You can help him combat bad ideas in politics and philosophy by donating to his work at https://ko-fi.com/zigmundreichenbach .

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