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I am maybe a socialist/communist, but live in a capitalist society. I feel conflicted (CW: Champagne socialist) (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I have always been a leftie, and sympathetic to socialism.

I live in a social democratic nordic country. Capitalism is the economic system.

I have thought that I should act like an economically rational entity, and make good financial decisions. Regardless of my beliefs.

I have bought an apartment with my wife, and we have started invested a significant portion in index funds to prepare for retirement in the future.

We both work ethical jobs that contribute positively to society. This was a requirement for the both of us.

Our rationalisation is that we should not sacrifice our own lives that significantly, but instead be politically active, donate a significant amount of money to the socialist party and educate people. We can contribute to change, but by not participating in the capitalist economy, we will hurt ourselves in the long run, without actually changing anything.

We have no plans of becoming "rich" by our country's standard. But the end goal is living off the pension from the government and our investments in the future.

I just feel that it is a contradictory way of living life, but we at least try to support socialist causes a lot more financially.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 day ago

Listen we all "live in a society" right? The economic system is what it is. Someone here recently gave me a good perspective that might apply here.

As [socialists] you have to have two opinions about everything, one that is the true solution to a problem (overthrowing capitalism) and one solution for right now.

That sounds to me like what you're doing already for your personal life, so I wouldn't worry all that much.

Is it a contradiction? Maybe. But it takes all kinds to build a mass movement right?