What is capitalism? Are we capitalists? The word has different meanings to many people. Capitalism as a word was actually coined by Karl Marx. It means, “an economy without government controls.” Many libertarians prefer the word free market because they think that capitalism has many bad connotations, like the fat cat bankers and the Wall Street elites sticking it to the little guy. Well, this is how Karl Marx portrayed capitalism and this is how people learn about what capitalism is while attending school. After all, today we live in a mixed economy. The best of both worlds, right? We saw the evils of capitalism at the end of the 19th Century and surely any moron knows that capitalism cannot be left untamed? People would be working in horrible conditions and getting their arms blown off in factories. The truth is that free acting individuals without the aid of the state have given us the standard of living today. The state likes to take credit for things like the forty hour work week and minimum wage but, these things would not be possible if it was not for the massive increase in wealth that the free market brought into the world.
The confusion about the definition of capitalism is pervasive throughout society, even by many people who claim to be for it. People throw the term around loosely and seem to not even understand what it means at times. People also seem to say that Europe and Canada are socialist. The truth is that neither is United States capitalist nor is it European socialist. Both are a mixture, each country has free elements of their economies and varying degrees of government control and the countries of Europe have many different mixtures at that.
Just because Europe and Canada have larger social safety nets does not make them socialist. Socialism is defined as: the government ownership of the means of production, that people work for the state and the state decides what everyone does. I guess you could say that Europe has more state control over their economies than we do but, this is not really true either. If this is the litmus test, then it is arguable that the United States is more socialist than Europe. Look at how the American housing industry is controlled by the American government. The same is true of banking. It is hard to believe that Europe has more control over their banking sector than the United States. Europe did not blow up a huge housing bubble through government sponsored entities like Freddy May and Fannie Mac… or whatever they are. In fact, Canada is ranked “more free” than America economically. So even though they have socialized health care, they are more free market or “capitalist” than we are.
To be honest, capitalism and socialism are almost without meaning anymore. Most of the public and political pundits have no idea what they mean. Politicians like to say we are capitalist. The ones on the right say this because they believe that their constituents like to hear this. It is much more politically convenient than saying that we are not capitalist because that would take some inconvenient explaining that might put some of his friends in a bad light. Politicians on the left like to say that we are capitalist as a foil to their progressive or socialist ideas. If obvious problems in society exist, it must be because America is capitalist. The solution is whatever pet government scheme that politicians have that will alleviate the “cruel” results of a capitalist society. If the problems exist because of government, it would not make sense to use more government to solve such problems. This is why leftist politicians describe America as capitalist. Because their solutions are not. Under no circumstance will they ever point to the government as a cause of even the smallest of problems. As you can see, capitalism and socialism, as terms, are used for political expedience and have little to do with reality.
I like the term ‘free market’. It is really the same thing as capitalism but, it emphasizes freedom. Some people use the term ‘freed market’ to differentiate from the market we have today, which is not free at all. This being said, ‘free market’ is good for me and is less confusing than ‘freed market’. At the same time, it is important that advocates of the free market are making it clear that they are advocating human freedom, not Wall Street or profits, or whatever smear socialists like to use. Economic Freedom is just as important as religious or any other type of personal freedom. In fact, they cannot be separated. It is a contradiction to say that a person should be free in personal areas of his life but, must be controlled economically by the state. Humans are meant to be free by their nature. Both economic and social freedoms are intertwined.
In the end, America does not have a free market. It is a corporatist hybrid. Though government may not own companies outright, it protects large corporations at the expense of the public and smaller firms. Our regulatory state does not and never has protected the public from public monopolies but, has instead entrenched monopolies through government privilege. The state pretends to protect us from contaminated food but, it has been large food producers who pushed for food regulation that have flexed out small time competition using compliance cost muscles. The government pretends to protect bank depositors through FDIC insurance but, has protected banks from bank runs allowing them to leverage their assets up to the hilt with no check in place whatsoever. The government pretends to protect from monopolies with antitrust laws but, has instead used these laws to destroy the competition of politically favored businesses. Worst of all, the government created the Federal Reserve to end the boom-bust cycle. Instead, it gave us the first Great Depression and is about to give us the second.
A true free-market society benefits the individual and the society as a whole. Society becomes healthier over time and even the poorest among us have the opportunity to become successful. Though that American dream still exists, it only exists because of the last vestiges of the free-market. When freedom disappears, so will the American Dream.
This excellent website certainly has all of the information and facts I needed concerning this subject and didnít know who to ask.
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Best wishes! Exactly where can I find the contact details for questions?
Saved as a favorite, I really like your website!
I could not resist commenting. Perfectly written!
I seriously love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you create this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own personal site and would like to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Cheers.
neyim ben protez at bacağı mı
Right here is the right blog for anybody who wishes to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that has been written about for many years. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.
I really enjoy the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
People that share an interest in a particular subject usually have a number of other characteristics in common as well.
I always spent my half an hour to read this blog’s articles or reviews all the time alongwith a mug of coffee.
Excellent article! We are linking to this great content on our website. Keep up the good writing.
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who has been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this topic here on your web site.
There’s definately a great deal to know about this issue. I like all of the points you have made.
There is certainly a great deal to know about this subject. I like all the points you made.
An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but usually people do not talk about these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!
You’ve made some really good points there. I looked on the net for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me just as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, however I really thought you would have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.
You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the work youwrite. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraidto mention how they believe. All the time go after yourheart.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this information.
I really like and appreciate your article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Hi, I think your blog could possibly be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent site.
I savour, cause I discovered exactly what I used to be takinga look for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have agreat day. ByeLook into my blog post wiki.bangormakerspace.org
Muchos Gracias for your blog post. Much obliged.
the best essay writing service reviews writing a narrative essay community service reflection essay pdf
599071 340712Hi! Wonderful post! Please do tell us when I will see a follow up! 434895
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be exciting to read content from other writers and practice something from other websites.
rx discount pharmacy hazard ky pharmacy schools online
After going over a number of the blog articles on your blog, I honestly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my website too and let me know your opinion.
This is one awesome article.Really thank you! Cool.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I donít know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having similar RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Pretty! This was an incredibly wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this information.
I’ll immediately snatch your rss as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me recognise so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something which helped me. Cheers!
Great information. Lucky me I found your site by chance (stumbleupon). I have book-marked it for later!
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently.I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff righthere! Best of luck for the next!
I’m pretty pleased to uncover this page. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely liked every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new things on your website.
I’m very pleased to discover this website. I wanted to thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new information in your blog.
Hey there! I just wish to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you’ve got right here on this post. I am returning to your web site for more soon.
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the format for your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to peer a great weblog like this one today..
ivermectin dose for scabies is ivermectin over the counter
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It’s the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for another magnificent article. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
Howdy, I do think your site could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent site.
It’s hard to find educated people on this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
⚡️ แจกเครดิตฟรี 100⚡️✨เล่นง่าย✨จ่ายจริง✨❇️โปรโมชั่นเพียบ🌠#บoล⚽️มวย🎮#หวย สล็Oต🎳#บๅคๅร่ๅ🤖🌠🌠ฝากถอนระบบอัตโนมัติ🌟เว็บ ตรง มั่นคง ปลอดภัย 💯
I could not resist commenting. Well written!