World History: Q&A

Q1. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism
is the equal sharing of miseries. Comment on the main criticisms of capitalism.
A1.The economy of capitalism is based on the notion of use of Capital(Property and Currency), with
profit as the main engine for growth. It has been potrayed as the most natural form of economic
production by liberal thinkers however the effects of capitalism on the society in general and workers in
particular had socialist thinkers to critically analyze the philosophy itself.
The main criticism of capitalism emerge from the disparity it creates, where the owner of capital earns
huge profits lives a lavish life while the workers who actually engage in the mode of production have to
make do with menial wages and a subsistence lifestyle. Marx has pointed towards the problem for petty
bourgeoisie also as the competition is cut throat and eventually they are wiped out of the market
scenario.
The means of production as a result gets increasingly monopolized which has a negative effects on the
prices of commodities and the system is marked with cycles of economic boom and depression.Marxist
scholars have further linked the economic position of the capitalist with the social and political status.
The state in turn is tilted towards capitalist friendly policies and even uses coercive force against labor
unions etc as was evident during initial period of capitalism in various states of western Europe.Analyst
say it was also the sole reason for colonizing of the world and spread of imperialism as it is driven by
need of Market and cheap source of Raw material.
As an alternative remedy socialism is propped up on notion of complete equality however it acts as
deterrent to merit thus we see the rise of welfare state as the golden mean between capitalism and
socialism.

Q2. The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular war in which Americans ever fought.
Explain the factors that led to the US involvement in Vietnam war and why it was unpopular with the
Americans.

A2. USA entered the Vietnam war on the side of South Vietnam after government of south Vietnam
refused to adhere the international agreement regarding unification of country and holding elections in
the entire country.
USA justified its intervention on the basis of safeguarding democratic and human rights in the world,
however the ulterior motive was to contain the spread of communism as expressed in the domino
theory of the country. It should be noted that by that time communism was gaining popularity in many
countries specially the third world and USSR, China, North korea etc had firmly established communist
states.

The opinion of the world and American population however was not in favour of the intervention. The
war was causing large amount of casualities of American soldiers coupled with the effect on the
economy of the country.The use of WMD and especially chemical warfare involving use of Agent
Orange had a detrimental effect on USAs case.World opinion and specially of third world viewed it as
an attack on sovereignity of Vietnam and was viewed as a neo colonist measure.

US soldiers which were finally withdrawn in 1975 after 15 ys long war had even taken the war to
Cambodia and as a fallout there was rise of Khyber rouge which conducted genocide on its own people.
Thus the war took a toll on human lives , economy of USA and Vietnam, infrastructure of Vietnam and
also to the prestige of USA as it could not defeat a small third world country.