Freiheit – Gleichheit – Eigentum – Sozialstaat = Kapitalismus

Abstract

As opposed to common conceptions amongst left-wing analysts (most recently Brunkhorst 2014), this article proves that Germany’s Basic Law contains no unutilised potential for emancipation in the direction of a socialist society, but rather necessarily anchors the capitalist reason of state. The topics of this argumentation are the Left’s old and new bearers of hope in constitutional law: freedom and equality of opportunity, the social obligation of private property, the public ownership clause, the state goals of labor and environmental protection, and the principle of the welfare state.