What is government's role in a capitalist society?

Question

I think capitalism, if left alone, would kill the weakest people - the elderly, the handicapped, the unskilled, the impoverished. No moral govt can allow that though so govt should temper capitalism (social security, minimum wage, etc) with some morality whle still allowing markets to breathe. Am i correct about this?

Answer 1

You are right. Unrestrained capitalism would lead us back to the days of Charles Dickens. Government needs to regulate to the benefit of We the People. After all WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT!

Answer 2

That's about the best summation of the role of government in a capitalist society I've heard lately. The key, carrying your point just a bit further, is to find the right mix of capitalism and "socialism", which is what social security, minimum wage and welfare and equal employment opportunity stuff is all about. And that's what keeps the democrats and Republicans talking or bitching at each other about. And yet, as I think further about it, if we as human beings have that tendency to care for our fellow man, which is why those "socialist" factors come into play in a capitalist society, wouldn't "government" be just a formalized or organized charity organization, a huge one at that, with regard to social welfare programs? That, therefore, would theoretically remove the need for "government" as an entity set apart from the people since the capitalists are the ones with the money to disperse, and they do it so comprehensively in programs such as those listed above, as well as letting churches be tax exempt which they have been for so long, as well as international efforts like the Berlin Air Lift of the 1960's or all the gazillions of dollars that have been given to Mexico and all of Latin/South America to revive and rescue their economies and societies, and africa, to resolve all their diseases they come up with, the latest being AIDS, and their interminable "civil wars", and southeast asia, and on and on. I guess, as a result of this seeming rambling, I think it is the capitalists that developed all the national and international charities, etc., and so we'd best be cautious in tampering with such a good thing. God Bless you.

Answer 3

If you read Locke, you'd find that in a capitalist soceity, the government's only role would be to protect the basic rights of the people which, in this case, would be life, liberty, and property, all while protecting citizens from force or fraud. Moving on from that, your views of capitalism are a bit skewed.

In capitalist soceity, these elderly, handicapped, and others incapable of joining the workforce would be picked up by charitable, private organizations. Churches, charities, etc. would still exist, even with a minarchist government. Never underestimate the willingness of humankind to lend a hand.

Answer 4

Yes, except in place of morality, put in the rule of law.

The amount of rule of law needed depends on how enlightened the people are. More enlightened people need fewer laws and just naturally adhere to guidelines that promote harmony and the general good. Less enlightened people need more laws. Scum, need to be ruled with an iron fist. Failure to do so will result in them destroying themselves.

Note that people like Answerman completely misunderstand the nature of wealth. The rich absolutely do not take from the poor, not even in the smallest ways. Instead, the rich get rich by creating wealth. They share this wealth with others less able and, more importantly, give those with some ability, the chance to pool thier talents collectively and benefit from this. The rule of law is not needed to protect the poor from the rich but rather to protect the system from the poor, who would loot the system and destroy it in short order (and then starve to death).

Good examples of this are always found in socialist and communist countries. The rule of law breaks down. Evil scumbags are allowed to loot the system and hurt the rich (who are actually no more than producers and guardians of a nation's wealth). Everything turns to s hit and the people starve. Look at russia. Look at cuba. Look at zimbabwe.

Capitalism is basically a situation where, in return for various perks, the smartest and best of us are allowed to produce wealth and bring others who are not so smart or able into a system so they can help, in exchange for a very high standard of living. The rule of law safeguards the system. The people they need to most guard it from are the poor, the criminal and the dysfunctional. At the same time, they take care of these people in ways that no other society ever bothers to

Answer 5

To regulate and tax commerce, maintain the public transportation systems, support a country-wide comprehensive health-care system, defend the country and educate the public. Leave the rest alone. The Government should not be the substitute for parents and extended families. Morality is a family matter that once instilled enriches society or depraves it. Unfortunately, so many of our critical problems can be traced back to deteriorating family support structures.

Answer 6

Allowing markets to breath is one thing, but catering to the rich corporations (as the US Govt does), will be the end of our demise as a democracy. I have revisited the Constitution (and Amendment to) & Bill of Rights site, more & more recently. It is scarey to see how many rights we have lost throughout the years, starting with 1913 to present.

We have become a "super greedy" nation. Our Govt & it's constituents, have allowed it to happen, forsaking the American people. Please, visit this site--one of many I have come across when looking for the truth.---www.devvy.com---(devvy with 2 v's). Pass it on, if you like.

Answer 7

Then should we have a socialist or communist government? There should be a way to have both. To let the people with mega-money get all that they can, but also make sure the less fortunate isn't ignored and left to rot. There should be a middle ground.

With all the craziness in our government now and people on extreme sides....we could be getting to this "middle-of-the-road" USA. I for one hope so.

Answer 8

It is to create an environment in which consumerism and capitalism can thrive within certain limits. Monopolies are forbidden. Unfair practices are forbidden. Corporations would still give generously, as they do now, to many worthy causes. They don't often publicize it. We get a bigger bang for the buck when a corporation gives money, than when 'Da Guvamint confiscates our money to do it.

Answer 9

George, I think that you nailed it. It is not wrong for people to get rich. However when they get greedy is where capatalism breaks down. The goverment should be the one to step in and temper this greediness and give a hand up to those that need it. I will get called all kinds of names for this post but it is the right thing to do.

Answer 10

The nationwide authorities's position is only to guard the marketplace, no longer direct it. which ability provide a status military and arbitrator. it truly is incredibly a lot it. community authorities's position is to guard the typical public's pastimes, fairly training, protection and sources rights.