Why didnt feudalism work when 3/4 of the world did it? Answer is it did, apart from the places it didnt, same as with every system. Im a leftie and I would rather live in a well run capitalist world than a badly run socialist one...not that ive ever lived in well run capitalist world so the point is moot I guess...

I'm not sure on what metric feudalism worked actually but I think I half agree with you.

If a system is universal it has a better chance of succeeding than if it's opened up to competition to rival systems.....this is why the communists built a wall in Berlin and why North Korea shoots those it catches trying to escape.

Essentially though I think the effectiveness of systems has to be measured by the living standard metrics of the populations under them.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I'm not a fan of the metric of 'happiness' in general...Sounds a bit 'Disney' to me.....'Happiness' is more a metric of expectations....Expectations can be...based on truths, half truths or lies....the media are always lying to people about what's important and about what they should want.

Homogeneous nations tend to be happier even if they are very poor....because happiness is more related to the level of inequality than it is to actual wealth....and that's not to downplay those who are struggling out there.

While this isn't something I've given much thought to I'd imagine better metrics would be wealth per person...age expectancy...crime rate...freedom....enjoying where you live and feeling comfortable.

Maslow and all that.

Edited by Stirlingsays (24 Jan 2019 7.31pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Problem is that the living standard metrics dont really make anything work either, the living standards by some metrics in this country have decreased despite us being more free trade and capitalist that ever. Most African countries ended up in civil war as soon as colonialism left, does not mean that colonialism is better than democracy. Life expectancy in Cuba was higher than a hell of a lot of capitalist countries under communism. There isnt any hard and fast way to measure any of these things in my opinion. If there were, these debates would be so much easier!

Just remember that this is a country that Corbyn thinks is some kind of Nirvana.

Bear that in mind if you're thinking of voting for the Monster Raving Labour Party.

"Venezuela isn't really socialist"

"Death to capitalist America trying to meddle and overturn a socialist country"

Pick one, leftards.