Whats the diffrence between a democratic state and a capitalist state ?

Question

Is there any diffrence at all ?

Answer 1

Democratic is a political distinction.

Capitalist is an economic distinction.

They go well together, but are not necessarily bound together. Under the rule of the Fascist dictator, Francisco Franco, Spain had a capitalist economy (which means that the "Means and Modes of Production" are held in private hands), but did not have a Democratic Regime. All power was in the hands of Franco and his "Fascisti."

Likewise, one can have a non-capitalist economy (like Sweden under the Socialists) and yet have a Democratic regime with free and fair elections in which voters have real power to choose governments.

Just remember: Democracy is a political value, and Capitalism is an economic value. They can be complimentary, but are not necessarily related.

Answer 2

You mean the difference between a socialist and capitalist?

A socialist state guarantees "minimum standard of living" as well as education, certain tv programmes and so on, and then you can work you way up from that.

A capitalist state trusts that the economy will cure everything. You will get that all important tv show about something, because people want to watch it and people are willing to pay for it... and also, they think the better the economy the better the living standards... Generating more money means everyone is getting richer, right?

Answer 3

A democratic state describes the relationship between the government and the people, and how the government must answer to the will of the people through voting, free elections, and such. A capitalist state describes the relationship between the government and businesses, and how the government supports free enterprise, the creation of new businesses relatively free of government control, and the support of private business over state run businesses. The US is a democratic and capitalist state because of the freedom the people and business have.

Answer 4

China proves that there is a difference. China is now beginning to play the capitalist game, which political scientists expect will seriously undermine the communist political system (eventually). Democracy is an amazingly flexible kind of term. Did you know that socialist and communist countries often describe themselves as "democratic"? "Democratic" just refers to the popular consideration of the people by government, not necessary voting rights and such. Capitalist, on the other hand, has to do specifically with the concept of private property. Democracy came first (c. 230 years ago), and it begat an alteration in the economic arrangements (of the U.S.), what we now call "capitalism".

Answer 5

They basically work hand in hand. In a Democracy, you can be
what you want to be, (within the limits of ones abilities of course).
Capitalism is the right to make money, which gives rise to initiative, (doing without being asked), and creativity, (coming up
with new ideas). Being your own boss.
Capitalism creates competition. What we call the Free Market, which is supposed to keep prices down. But there is a real
attempt to destroy the money system. That way, they'll have
all the money, and we'll have a plastic card worth 50 cents.
And we are playing right along with it. Demanding more wages,
and more benefits, which only lets them raise thier prices, and
we bring home more money every week, but don't have no more
money because things cost more.
We need to lower prices. But that would require sacrifce. And I don't see people being willing to do that.

Answer 6

Democratic is political, capitalist is economic. It is possible to have a democratic socialist state, like most of the Scnadanavian countries, and it's possible to have a capitalist dictatorship, although this is less likely to be about free market economics as it is to be about corporatism.

Answer 7

No difference in practically.