Corruption is a non issue for oil and Mining companies. Oil and Mining companies prefer corrupt government to governments with socialist policies. Simply because the latter cuts into their profit. It is not South Africa's corruption that deter mining investment into the country but their strong Unions and ANC socialist tendencies that improves wages and lives of workers. Corrupt governments will look the other way, and wages will me much lower in fact in some cases nearly non existent. Is your phone tainted by the misery of the 35,000 children in Congo's mines? https://www.theguardian.com/global-.../phone-misery-children-congo-cobalt-mines-drc The Venezuelan oil industry was run into the ground due to lack of investment, sanctions and corruption. Much of the conflict between America and Venezuela also revolve around the expropriation of Loma de Niquel Anglo American seeks $600 million compensation from Venezuela http://www.mining.com/anglo-american-seeks-600-million-compensation-from-venezuela-79932/ Venezuela restarts nickel output at asset taken over from Anglo Socialist governments fail because of the greed of capitalists. And as long as there are people like you who look at a chart then say... oh yes see it's trending down... therefore socialism fails, you have served your purpose
Socialism can't compete with capitalism, and it always fails. Yes, I'm well aware. This has been extensively demonstrated.
That's a defeatist attitude and why we are heading for vast inequality in 2030 vvv Richest 1% on target to own two-thirds of all wealth by 2030 https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/07/global-inequality-tipping-point-2030 This will only result in social unrest of epic proportions, here's an interesting fact for you
And when empires collapse, peace and prosperity ensue, right? Socialist utopias spring up left and right?
Yes to your sarcasm... we had the dark ages after the collapse of the Roman Empire. And this is why we should take small steps now to prevent this from happening all over again. Deal with moderates like me, who want the unequal hierarchy to continue in a fairer format.. by implementing small socialist changes in education, health and food for the poor... or deal with radicals later who wants the whole system dismantled that will bring forward the collapse of society.
I think you are sort of right, but if you look at history, that's never how it works. Polar sides are rarely able to compromise. This usually results in inaction, eventually leading up to break out in conflict. Sometimes at least one side is able to temporarily take control, effect the necessary changes, and then the other side doesn't have the will to undo the change once it's their turn. It's not really the most logical, but human nature taken as a political collective is not the most logical. In my opinion, the biggest threat to the long-term survival of democracy is widespread poverty. This notion can be hard to understand, until you look at history. Poverty very often sets the foundation for conflict, as well as desperation and uncivilized acts.
Only a Westerner would call it 'tough'. Wiser cultures understand it simply as love. Genuine love .. the kind that sacrifices and works for its object, rather than the cheap and easy words'n'hugs varietal favoured by the lazy and self-absorbed.