Abstract
This paper extends an earlier analysis (1988) of the extent to which socialism and capitalism are consistent with behavioral principles. I first argue that a reductionistic analysis from the level of systems to that of individuals is warranted. I then propose that socialism, unlike capitalism, fails to provide environmental arrangements that are likely to effectively direct behavior in our current technologically sophisticated environment. I conclude that a scientific, rather than a political, analysis will be more constructive in elucidating the conditions under which society can be altered to provide greater social and economic justice.
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I want to thank Janet Ellis for the numerous constructive comments she offered on earlier drafts of this manuscript. Portions of this article were presented at the annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Philadelphia, May, 1988.
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Rakos, R.F. Socialism, Behavioral Theory, and the Egalitarian Society. BASA 7, 23–29 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03406104
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03406104