What Is Capitalism?

[Carthage]

I just wrote this, and I though people could use a good explanation of what Capitalism REALLY is.


Capitalism is the free exchange between individuals, with the elimination of force. We do not earn profits by having a military. We do not thieve - we trade. Value for Value, no force involved. We do so for our rational self-interest. There is no rationality in forcing another to give you something. We do not profit when a building is bombed, we do not thieve if we cannot have something. We only use a military when we have been attacked, and we do not thieve - EVER. It is the greatest moral sin in Capitalism, to take instead of trade.

Socialism, however, is the opposite. It is forced altruism. Unless you give the government the money so that it can give it to the poor man who doesn't want to work, you are arrested. There is no value involved, no voluntary exchange. A military forces you to trade for x amount, instead of trading freely with another. You are told how much to trade for, rather then using your independent reason to make the judgment of how much it should be traded for. If you defy, you are arrested. The government points a gun at both of the traders heads and tells them how to trade. That is the evil of socialism - force. Coercion. The invalidation of individual reason. Hate. Malice. Altruism.

You must make the choice between the Gun and the Dollar. There is no other. Be quick - Time is running out.

 

[All Else Failed]

All types of government use force why aren't you seeing this?

 

[Carthage]

All types of government use force why aren't you seeing this?

Yes, a government is a tool of force, but not between two traders - between a trader and a criminal.

And yes, all governments have used force to take from traders, but that doesn't mean there can't be a government that doesn't.

 

[All Else Failed]

Yes, a government is a tool of force, but not between two traders - between a trader and a criminal.

And yes, all governments have used force to take from traders, but that doesn't mean there can't be a government that doesn't.

so you admit capitalism uses force

then why do you pick on socialism so much

 

[Carthage]

so you admit capitalism uses force

then why do you pick on socialism so much

Because Capitalism uses force to negate force, it uses force against force. Socialism puts force in where there is none - between two traders. Here it is in mathematical expressions:

Capitalism:
- * - = +
Criminal Force(-) * Government Force(-) = Peace.

Socialism:
-*+=-
Government Force (-) * Trader's peace(+) = Force (-)

 

[All Else Failed]

Because Capitalism uses force to negate force, it uses force against force. Socialism puts force in where there is none - between two traders. Here it is in mathematical expressions:

Capitalism:
- * - = +
Criminal Force(-) * Government Force(-) = Peace.

Socialism:
-*+=-
Government Force (-) * Trader's peace(+) = Force (-)

I'm pretty sure there is plenty of regulation and force between two people making a transaction in capitalism.

 

[Carthage]

I'm pretty sure there is plenty of regulation and force between two people making a transaction in capitalism.

No, there isn't. Where would they get it? The constitution keeps it purely in the government, and the government is kept out of economics by the constitution. In the modern mixed-semi-capitalism, there is, but not in the ideal laissez faire capitalism.

 

[All Else Failed]

No, there isn't. Where would they get it? The constitution keeps it purely in the government, and the government is kept out of economics by the constitution. In the modern mixed-semi-capitalism, there is, but not in the ideal laissez faire capitalism.

taxes

 

[Carthage]

taxes

Like I keep saying, that's in our MIXED-SEMI-CAPITALIST economy, not a REAL, PURE CAPITALIST economy, which Is what I'm describing.

 

[All Else Failed]

Like I keep saying, that's in our MIXED-SEMI-CAPITALIST economy, not a REAL, PURE CAPITALIST economy, which Is what I'm describing.

Oh, my bad


so what you're constantly arguing for is nothing more than a personal fantasy.

 

[NicAuf]

AEF you crack me up with ur non-wavering attitude......i like it.


One thing I don't like about capitalism is that there is a huge inequality gap.

 

[DavyBoy]

capitalism is imperfect, and anyone who happily claims to be a capitalist has some issues. It is a nasty system which encourages greed, preys on the weak, and puts money above all else in the realm of human achievement.

It's also the best system (or at least part of the best system) that human society can survive in. Communism is a pipe-dream based on an irrational, idealistic view of humanity.


The best human societies combine elements of capitalism (e.g. free market) with elements of socialism (e.g. welfare). I think that's the balance that we have to look for, rather than supporting just capitalism or pure socialism.

 

[Meirionnydd]

capitalism is imperfect, and anyone who happily claims to be a capitalist has some issues. It is a nasty system which encourages greed, preys on the weak, and puts money above all else in the realm of human achievement.

It's also the best system (or at least part of the best system) that human society can survive in. Communism is a pipe-dream based on an irrational, idealistic view of humanity.


The best human societies combine elements of capitalism (e.g. free market) with elements of socialism (e.g. welfare). I think that's the balance that we have to look for, rather than supporting just capitalism or pure socialism.

I totally agree, good post.

 

[livvy7678]

I'm sorry, but, you know to much for your age







































And I think I am smart with an IQ of 120!!

 

[All Else Failed]

Don't you get it guys!? Capitalism in my personal fantasy is the only right way!

 

[Pudding Time]

Communism is a pipe-dream based on an irrational, idealistic view of humanity.

How did you come up with this?

 

[DavyBoy]

Name one country that has successfully applied Marx's theories.

 

[NicAuf]

Name one country that has successfully applied Marx's theories.

History in stages my friend, its just a waiting game

 

[Peter Parka]

I'm sure Capitalism started off as a very noble idea, the same as Communism did. the problem is, no political ideal accounts for mans selfishness and greed which is why they all fail.

 

[Peter Parka]

Capitalism is not a political ideal--its an economic system and proven conclusively to be the only successful one.

Maybe economically there's an argument, socially it's far from proven.