Social Credit

As stated in my introduction, I have a firm understanding of the Social Credit theory, as advanced by C.H. Douglas. Since Guild Socialism seems to be, at least, moderately popular here, and the two ideologies were developed at around the same time by overlapping groups of people, I was wondering if anyone else here had studied it to any degree.

First things first, of course, it was wrong on a certain point. This is a quote from a publication of the theory's remaining authority: "We are often asked to distinguish between socialism and Social Credit. Jack's answer came in two statements: 1. Socialism state that the socio-economic conflict is Capital vs Labour, 2. Social Credit states that the socio-economic conflict is Finance vs The Community..."

However, knowing as much about it as I do, I would defend it from an unfair criticism it receives from Marxists who are much less familiar with it. Since its general proposition is that the economy's surplus value should be distributed equally to all (rich or poor), it is often lumped in with Left-Liberalism and Social Democracy. There is a very clear distinction, however.

The soft-left is tolerated by the ruling class, because it does not threaten them, but Social Credit parties and academics were, and still are, viciously attacked and ridiculed (if mentioned at all) by the Capitalist-controlled media. They are portrayed as eccentrics not to be taken seriously, at best, and lunatics posing a serious threat to society, at worst.

Whilst it ignores the abuses of the rest of the capitalist class, its attack upon high finance is relentless and unabated; which is why it is not mentioned on any mainstream economics course and why its various attempts at political organisation are, to this day, stymied by mainstream politicians.

It developed a criticism of the financial sector which should not be ignored; I think its supporters should be courted, wherever possible, and convinced to join our side.

I've heard of social credit before but I didn't know it had such relationship with socialism.

Care to link me to an introduction?

HomelessArtist wrote:I've heard of social credit before but I didn't know it had such relationship with socialism.

Care to link me to an introduction?

Its relationship with socialism is more personal than ideological (though it has been described as 'the capitalist road to communism'); the Guild Socialists and the Social Creditors are linked by A.R. Orage (who advocated for both at various points during his life).

I can't link (because my account is still under some sort of newbie probation); but the Social Credit Secretariat, chaired by Frances Hutchinson, maintains a website with a number of free resources.

This one? http://www.douglassocialcredit.com/
Its does seem to have a lot of resources but I don't have much time or interest to read much of them.

I shall post a few good links when I am able.

However, I would like to apologise to the moderation team; I've just noticed that I've replicated a topic that has been posted before. I must've missed it, somehow.

HomelessArtist wrote:This one? http://www.douglassocialcredit.com/
Its does seem to have a lot of resources but I don't have much time or interest to read much of them.

Yes, that's the one. If you'd like a short summation, I can recommend this, this and this (now that I can link to things). If you're still interested after that, this is the main authoritative text.

Scarlet-Left wrote:
this

Like that great pseudo-economist Karl Marx

Opinions discarded

this

This was informative but after a while I just skimed over it only reading the headlines because it dosn't tell me anything I don't know already about the current economy.
I also see that they Have a book of Henry George listed there chapter by chapter. Is georgism related to social credit in some form?

this

I'm too tired to read this and again I bet it will not tell me something I do not know already.

this

This looks good and informative. I promise I will read a little of it it later on

So I read the pamphlet I prmised to read and again it didn't told me much until the last chapter Where ideas I had at soe point in the past were named and I released that social credit was I thing I been sympathetic to all this time and I should thank Scarlet-Left for giving me the keys to my own house.

But what I want to know is how social credit is "the capitalist road to communism"

HomelessArtist wrote:So I read the pamphlet I prmised to read and again it didn't told me much until the last chapter Where ideas I had at soe point in the past were named and I released that social credit was I thing I been sympathetic to all this time and I should thank Scarlet-Left for giving me the keys to my own house.

But what I want to know is how social credit is "the capitalist road to communism"

Essentially, as time goes on (in a Social Credit economy) the dividend (a form of Universal Basic Income) increases at an exponential rate; poverty is done away with, and the source of social conflict (wage-labour) is eventually eliminated altogether. I'd recommend Robert A. Heinlein's first novel (only published after his death), "For Us, The Living", written around the time he was campaigning for Upton Sinclair's 'End Poverty In California' ticket, for an interesting exploration of this concept.

OK thanks.
Social credit is completly compatible with my position.
I don't think I can read Heinlein's book, my reading list is very busy.