I think the problem here is not taking a longer and all-sided view, seeing that markets preceded capitalism and will probably be around for some time after it is gone.
Markets are an achievement of human civilization; before them exchange was most often carried out by pillage and plunder when possible, and simple barter when those were not possible. Markets exist as long as there are economies of scarcity and begin to wither away mainly under economies of abundance. If you try to 'outlaw' markets under conditions of scarcity, including under socialism, they will just re-emerge as 'black' markets or 'underground' economies.
We are all well aware of this phenomenon in every socialist country, past or present. Trying to ban or outlaw markets entirely or prematurely can only be done by extreme repression or mass slaughter, and even then only temporarily. Kampuchea, where the Khmer Rouge tried to abolish the market and money, was a case in point.
Our task is to use the market intelligently to solve problems and make progress for the majority of people. China's socialist market economy is one example, but there are others elsewhere. And don't worry if some entreprenuer gets 'too rich' under socialism; that's what a socialist tax policy is for, not to punish innovation, but to spread out some of the benefits.
As I understand socialism, it's a transitional system between class society and classless society. In the long run, we want classes, states and markets to wither away. But by its very nature as a transitional form, socialism is a 'mixed' economy, combining both market and plans, spearheaded by worker ownership and control of key sectors of the economy, but by no means all sectors, and, hopefully but not always, given direction by a government of radical and popular democracy.
(The reason I say 'hopefully but not always' is that some countries, for a variety of reasons, have a lot to be desired in the way of democracy and may take some time for further gains, but still are on the socialist path.)
I suggest folks interested in this topic take a look at David Schweickart's book, 'After Capitalism,' published by Rowman and Littlefield, or go to www.solidarityeconomy.net . He presents the case for a worker-controlled market socialism quite well. If this is 'revisionism,' then it's high time for a little more of it.
Carl Davidson
Chicago
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