Socialism vs.. Capitalism (Peter Singer vs.. Charles Darwin)

A famous philosopher once stated that “those who labor and prosper shall survive and those who cannot keep up shall perish.” Charles Darwin, forefather of the theory of “survival of the fittest”, claimed that those who can support themselves and rise above the rest shall survive. Evident in many historical literary and philosophical ideas, Singer’s thought of “sharing the wealth” alludes to a socialist society, one that Darwin would look down upon.

When looking at today’s modern society, it is evident that they are wealthy, well-to-do people and poor, needy citizens. Although each person in our world should care for the impoverished, a firm line must be drawn between support and dependency. Singer’s theory of bare necessities would bring the question as to why would anyone wish to become rich, only to give it all away? Little by little, the high class citizens of society would easier become lethargic, and seek to support themselves in a lower paying occupation. The irony is that trying to coerce people to become more charitable, they would become more self centered and selfish. A simple qualifier to this theory would be instead of forcing citizens to surrender their “hard earned” money, persuade them to work abroad: building houses, or bridges, or wells.  Similarly, for doctors, to word abroad in third world countries, where they could bring medicine and expertise to the playing fields.  In all reality, people would be more willing to know where their monetary funds are going, as well as knowing that food and medicine can only do so much.  Food only temporarily cures hunger.  Medicine can only cure so many diseases.  Although food is a necessity in life, money could be better spent in purchasing farm equipment, seeds, and paying farmers to go and teach those who do not know how to fend for themselves.  Finally, addressing the issue of dependence, enough people, cities, and nations will not donate unless there are strings attached which could be tugged in the future to bring revenue to the mother country.  For example, the European interventions in African countries, under the basis of “improving the wellbeing of all,” resulted in inhumane treatment of the African land and tribes by exploiting the people into mining the infamous “blood diamonds.”  The greed and selfishness of the bureaucrats in society stirred up this mad controversy, and resulted in the deprivation of one to benefit the other.