Karl Marx is definitely right in his assertion that the development of human society abides by objective law. From primitive society to slave society, then to feudal society, society advanced step by step. Interestingly, perhaps God is tired of this one dimensional model, the social ideology then developed into two opposite forms: Capitalism and Socialism.

      Then the mutual attack began.(God would probably find this more entertaining)

      Advocates of socialism take a harsh attitude towards capitalists, perceiving them as parasites and the cruellest enemy of the working class, capitalists harbor few kind words for socialism,charging shortcomings that range from lack of human rights to widespread poverty.Higher and higher did the level of conflict rise,and their competition eventually evolved to the form of 'Cold War' which lasted for 46 years,and the collapse of the Soviet Union marked a temporary end of the confrontation.

      That is history. But does that mean that communism is essentially inferior to capitalism?

      It is true that in China we have less freedom(to bear children,express different ideas,etc) than westerners, and that, in many cases, centralized political system leads to extremely tragic events like the cultural revolution. These tragedies,however,may have as much to do with Mao's despotism as with socialism.Universal poverty may be more of a problem of an apprehension (socialism doesn't mean being poor together) than a theoretical problem(socialism is right itself).

     Capitalism,on the other hand,may not be as evil as we think. Capitalistic society may produce a group of extremely poor people,but this is the natural outcome of the market economy(which we are fervently applying now),and those people would not starve to death(which unfortunately is the case in many socialistic societies), nor are residents of western countries any less likely to show their love and willingness to help the poor than are residents of socialistic societies.

      I am not saying this to praise capitalism or socialism, in fact,both of them have severe problems.

      Capitalism is far from perfect,could any spectacle, for instance,be more grimly whimsical than that of capitalists pouring tons of milk into the sea while millions of people are starving? People still tremble at the wickedness of capitalism at its early stages. The hours in the factory were limited only by the physical strength of the workers. As long as a woman could sit before her loom, without fainting from fatigue,she was supposed to work. Children of five and six were taken to the cotton mills to produce the so-called 'profit' which seems to be the ultimate and only pursuit of capitalists. Socialism,on the other hand, has even more problems.Its internal turbulance like the culture revolution is so horrifying and evil that I even dare not to read more of that episode of history. Communism, the next phase of socialism, is nothing but an Utopia idea in nearly everyone's eyes.

      Of course, these two opponents are not without their own strengths.

      Though socialism is at a disadvantage at present, we should not forget the splendid achievements of the Soviet Union--------the first socialistic society in the history of mankind. Socialism somewhat makes the country operate more effectively in some aspects.Soviet Union is the first nation being able to send a man-made satellite into the firmament, Soviet Union astronaut Yuri Gagarin will absolutely remain immortal as the first human being in the outer space. Within less than 20 years, the Soviet Union finished the process of industrialization which generally would take 200 years for a capitalistic country.

       With the Cold War a fading memory, westerners still have a lingering fear of the formidable opponent, the alarming knock of Nikita Khrushchev's leather shoes on the UN table is still many people's nightmare. No wonder the rise of China is making westerners more and more uncomfortable. They certainly don't want to confront another 'Soviet Union'.

       Western countries, of course, have a lot more to flaunt.

       America alone accounts for 30 percent of the world economy.Appllo astranauts rocketed to the moon in a dramatic show of technology muscle during the Cold War.Westerners have the most advanced technology, the most eminent scientists, the best education system,and the most popular languages,movies,and even food like McDonalds.Millions of young people are rushing there in the pursuit of a better education and a better life.For whatever reason many a young man would rather make a poor living there by,say,playing violin in the subway than go back to their own countries.There is no exaggeration to say that by and large the westerners dominated the development of modern society and are dominating now.

      Under these circumstances, the question of what future there is for our human being is a real one. Capitalism and Socialism, which is better? and who will be the winner?

     Well, I'd say the result is not within anyone's control. Anyway,our civilization will continue to advance as it should.Whoever is the winner, one thing is for certain(as I wish):our future is bright. As marquis de Condorcetone wrote:

    "Nature has set no limits to our hopes, and the picture of the human race, now freed from its chains and marching with a firm tread on the road of truth and virtue and happiness, offers to the philosopher a spectacle which consoles him for the errors, for the crimes and the injustices which still pollute and afflict this earth".

     Being a Chinese, I'm pretty happy to see that my motherland is developing and growing,the great revival of the Chinese nation is on the way, and it would be my greatest pleasure to be part of it, for better or worse!