The ideological clash between socialism and capitalism is often presented as a binary choice, with proponents on both sides arguing that their preferred system offers the best solution for society. This simplistic left-right view misses a crucial element: it's not the ideology itself that determines whether a system is moral or not, but whether it is based on voluntary participation and bound by ethical constraints like the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP).

The NAP opposes theft, assault, fraud, and vandalism, making it clear that no individual or group has the right to initiate force against others. When applied to economic systems, this principle shines a light on how both socialism and capitalism can either promote freedom and voluntary cooperation—or become mechanisms of tyranny. The key difference between moral and immoral systems lies not in whether they are left- or right-wing but in whether they rely on force or voluntarism.

Democide: The Dangers of Authoritarian Socialism and Capitalism

R.J. Rummel, in his book Death by Government, coined the term democide to describe the murder of people by their own government, which encompasses the atrocities committed by both socialist and capitalist regimes. The 20th century, in particular, saw an unprecedented level of state-sponsored violence, leading to the deaths of over 262 million people. These deaths occurred not through war but through internal purges, genocides, forced labor camps, and starvation policies carried out by governments across the political spectrum.

Socialist governments, such as those under Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot, were responsible for some of the highest death tolls. The forced collectivization of agriculture, for instance, led to widespread famine and millions of deaths. Political purges eliminated perceived enemies, often through executions and labor camps. Socialism's inherent focus on central planning and state control inevitably leads to coercion when people are forced to surrender their property and resources to the collective. While the rhetoric may promise equality, the reality often manifests in oppression and death.