Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Apr 23, 2026

The trickledown hazard

The trickledown hazard

Now Capitalism, the rule of the free market, is not incompatible with democratic socialism. All ideologies are a mix of social and economic ideas that have been tested in the cauldron of geography and history.
The issue of what idea is best for a society is in the orientation. Where do specific ideas on economy and politics fit into the wider spectrum of society and economy.

Terms such as Socialism, Capitalism, Democracy, Social democracy, Market Economy, Communism, Fascism, are all components of governance. They are combined into one governing model with each having a weighting that impacts the whole of society.

Within democratic socialist societies- which this writer advocates as ideal for the Caribbean and Virgin Islands- markets thrive and businessmen prosper. The preceding are all pillars in the socialist economy.

However in a social democracy the market is viewed as servant not master.

Under democratic socialism the community is supreme. The welfare of the citizen is paramount- every citizen and their welfare is placed at the center of policy: the welfare state.

In a western world that has allowed the market to rule without check- Post Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher - the result has been a liberal economics model that has driven a vast social and wealth inequality that is simply unsustainable in the long term, and created huge social misery for the poor and vulnerable.

Deregulation and free markets without checks and government interventions, has created a new class of billionaire who practically rule the world.

In percentage terms the world's richest man Jeff Bezos pays less tax than his employees, while half the US population lives paycheck to paycheck.

In the USA, President Joe Biden speaks of turning the tide against this wave of uncontrolled greed and corporatism with a massive new investment in policies averting climate change, the creation of millions of new and environmentally sustainable jobs, millions of new social homes in a social housing revolution, and placing human welfare- caring for the young and elderly, including universal childcare- at the core of a new left of center economy and society.

Biden speaks of an industrial policy that gives power to working people, and that allows workers to organize for their own welfare. One must ask: when did Biden become so left of center?

The fact is the US President understands there is no true prosperity without greater equality and human welfare.

One can only observe whether the right wing, who are against everything democratic socialist, allow Biden's plans to prevail.

In the UK, left of center thinkers speak of a brand new world where there is a new ''social contract'' that offers every citizen an equal stake in the economy. There is a recognition that deep inequalities must be bridged.

The market economy must be put in its place as servant and not master within society.

When citizens truly rule, not wealthy individuals and their corporations, and government is fully accountable to citizen's demands, the world is a better place.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Privacy Problems in Microsoft Windows OS
News roundup
Péter András Magyar and the Strategic Reset of Hungary
Hungary After the Landslide — A Strategic Reset in Europe
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
×