is capitalism really all that good?

Question

if not which way should we go?

Answer 1

Capitalism works because it makes the correct assumption that people will work in their own best interest.

But unfettered capitalism is poison ... because once some people start to get a monopoly on capital (i.e. get too rich), they use that power to protect that monopoly ... and it is no longer capitalism, but feudalism all over again.

The brilliance of our Constitution is that it distrusts power getting in the hands of too few. It is all about checks and balances ... even preventing the majority from enacting laws that are oppressive to the minority (the Bill of Rights). Anti-trust laws, environmental laws, insider trading laws, and corporate laws in general are absolutely necessary for too much power getting concentrated in the hands of too few.

Answer 2

yes capitalism is good.

why? because it motivates people.

would you want to spend 8 years in college and do countless hours of studying to get your master's degree and land a career as a scientist, doctor, surgeon, and etc only to earn the same amount as a janitor or trash collector?

would you work hard at your job and take the time to do what's necessary to advance in your career if there was no reward for it?

capitalism gives you the opportunity to chase your dreams and rewards you for your efforts. communism and socialism do not.

Answer 3

There is no absolutes. Unfettered capitalism vs. unfettered socialism, vs. unfettered communism, etc. They will all fail. In general it is a combination of all which will succeed over the long term with the largest influencer being capitalism. A society REQUIRES innovation to surivive and a society cannot innovate to any extent without the motivator of capitalism (i.e. to make money). A society that does not innovate typically is taken over or has a rebellion. So to answer your question yes it is good, while in moderation.

Answer 4

Let me simplify your question. Capitalism is like a person thriving
to own a cake. Socialism is unable to own the cake and would
like to cut it up into 100 pieces so everyone has an equal share.
So its up to you to decide whether you want to work your as...s
off for a whole cake or sit on your butt and scratch for a small
piece.

Answer 5

Capitalism is the way .

And the topic of going some other way isn't even on the table . Not in our country anyway . Ever heard of 3 Brothers Moving Co. ??
I'll get the number for ya !!!

Answer 6

It can't be all bad. China and several other communist countries are converting to it. Capitalism is a good thing. It just needs to be watched and regulated for fair play.

Answer 7

Give the 10 points to C_sense_1. His answer is rational, looks at both sides of the issue, and I believe, is completely correct.


Capitalism is great in theory but in application, it has to be well-regulated in order to be fair and efficient. The same principle applies to socialism. As a matter of fact, I think both theories work best together in practical application instead of one extreme or the other.

Answer 8

True capitalism is something we really haven't experienced here in the US. Rather, we have a corprorate driven oligarchy that tries to disguise itself as free-market capitalism.

There are an handful of companies that manage to exploit government and taxpayers money.

Which way do we go? Why not keep it the way it is and end corporate welfare (a nastier way of saying subsidies) and ending the earmarking of millions by Congress, and lastly, have major lobbying reform. We need people to end the corrpution. They very word implies the tainting of something good.

Answer 9

Of course capitalism has it's flaws but it is what we have.

It's not a true democracy and the "Great American Dream" has gone but I'd prefer it to a fanatical fundamentalist christian or islamic government.

It's also preferable to anarchy or dictatorship.

Answer 10

No. It is a selfish "me myself and I" system, where the wealthy are protected by government and the poor are opressed.
We need a controlled mixed economy, with priority on taking care of those who most need care.