I'm taking a sociology class, and we just started talking about Marx. My professor asked us for examples of socialism, and quite a few people mentioned welfare.

I pushed back on this, saying that a redistribution of wealth isn't the same as "redistribution" (shared ownership) of productive means. My professor replied that socialism is a commitment to equality, which welfare provides.

Now, I wasn't sure exactly what to say next without denouncing capitalism. I'm also aware that my response could have been better. How would you respond to this?

EDIT: I'm not trying to convince my professor. I'm trying to present arguments that get my classmates thinking in hopes of radicalizing a few of them. One of the TA's actually pm'd me later saying that they agreed with me.

  • GreatBearShark [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Honestly, I don’t think it’s generally worth trying to have these kinds of arguments with most professors since they’re typically in a position of power.

    If you can tell they’re having the discussion in good faith, then maybe, but I feel like the majority of the time they’re just going to talk down to you and give you their “capitalism good” perspective and nothing will change that

    I generally think it’s much more productive to have these discussions with classmates / coworkers. I’ve radicalized a lot of my peers by just complaining about certain things that we all struggle with (healthcare, etc)