Sociology Now, Census Update

rich, funds a wide range of social welfare programs for everyone, including

universal health and child care. Scholars differ on whether this economy should be

classified as socialist or capitalist.

Even in nominally capitalist countries, socialists often occupy high political posi-

tions. From 1948 to 1960, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had a socialist mayor (Frank

Ziedler), and the mayors of Paris (Bertrand Delanoë) and London (Ken Livingston)

and the president of Spain (Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero) belong to socialist

political parties.

Communism

Many people confuse the two economic systems, but communism is notsocialism.

Marx believed that socialism was a necessary transition from the oppression of

capitalism to the ideal economic system of communism. Communismis an economic

system based on collective ownership of the means of production and is administered

collectively, without a political apparatus to ensure equal distribution. It’s utopian,

and Marx believed that communism could be achieved only after many years

of socialism.

Socialism requires strong government intervention, but in a communist state,

government is abolished. Socialism retains a difference between high-status and

low-status work, so the janitor receives a lower salary than the physician, but in the

communist paradise, the principle of distribution will become “from each according

to his or her ability, to each according to his or her need.” Thus, the janitor and the

physician will receive the same stipend for personal expenses. Neither will lack

anything, so both will be happy and content. Social inequalities will disappear, along

with crime, hunger, and political strife.

428 CHAPTER 13ECONOMY AND WORK

The Rich and Taxes

Taxation has always been a central concern to Americans. In fact, one of the more famous rally-

ing cries for the American Revolution was “no taxation without representation.” One contempo-

rary area of debate around taxation is concerned with how we should distribute the tax burden.

Some think the rich should pay more taxes than they do, while others maintain that the rich

contribute to society in other ways, such as providing jobs and revenue for middle- and

working-class Americans. Various solutions to the tax problem have been considered, including

implementing a flat tax that would be proportional to one’s income. So, what do you think?

See the back of the chapter to compare your answers to national survey data.

13.1

What

do

you

think

❍Much larger share

❍Larger

❍Same share

❍Smaller share

❍Much lower share

Do you think that people with high incomes should pay a larger share of their income in taxes than

those with low incomes, the same share, or a smaller share?

?