Why Capitalism?

[John Galt]

For all you solicalists out there - this is the philosophy I believe in - please try to find fault. Fully expect no real arguments and lots of petty insults but we can but hope.....

The ideal political-economic system is laissez-faire capitalism. It is a system where men deal with one another, not as victims and executioners, nor as masters and slaves, but as traders, by free, voluntary exchange to mutual benefit. It is a system where no man may obtain any values from others by resorting to physical force, and no man may initiate the use of physical force against others. The government acts only as a policeman that protects man's rights; it uses physical force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use, such as criminals or foreign invaders

[sasguru]

... The government acts only as a policeman that protects man's rights; it uses physical force only in retaliation and only against those who initiate its use, such as criminals or foreign invaders

So how do you explain the invasion of Iraq?

[milanbenes]

John,

I think you are taking all of this stuff a little too seriously.

Forget all these 'isms.

There's a simple recipe for success...

. do the best for your family and those you love
while in parallel:
. treating others as you would wish to be treated yourself


Milan.

[Lucifer Box]

Well said, Benes. Top marks for sensible post of the day.

Too much pseudo-intellectual nonsense rots the brain. After all, look at me

[John Galt]

Sasguru - this is the system I approve of - it is not what is happening now therefore Iraq is irrelevent. As an aside. I think it was a stupid move.

Milan - you are quite right, as always

[The Lone Gunman]

. treating others as you would wish to be treated yoursel

So I should go around spanking all the women I see and then having rampant sex whilst giving rich men all the money I have?

For that is how I would like to be treated!

[threaded]

Hmm, Milanbenes seems to have more of this xtian thing down than chico.

Spooky.

[Jabberwocky]

Why Capitalism ? It gives the peasants the idea that all they need to do is work hard and gain appropriate skills. It makes them think that success is a 10% pay rise, that achievement is to beat sales targets, or get a £10ph rate rise. All the time the rich get richer and a few poor join the elite. It is a system built on improbable dreams, truly a quicksand of greed.

[Dundeegeorge]

You really are a bit of a tosser Jobbywanker

yet again you seem define success in terms which seem to be important to you, sales-targets? pay-rise? rate-rise?
No wonder you're a socialist, you seem to be obsessed by the achievements of others, or possibly by the under-achievement of yourself.
So did you have a happy childhood, and when do you expect to leave it?

[Rebecca Loos]

But Mr Jabber, it is the nature of any society to be based on inequality. Animals live in systems based on hierarchy. So do men. So does every living thing. I think we have to accept that men and women have not been created equal, that some have better ability than others. As long as everyone is reasonably protected and given a chance to live reasonably well (I didn't say equally), then a hierarchical society is fine. And history have proven that the best-working societies are based on hierarchy. Total equality for everyone is a flawed concept that does not work and is not a given moral requirement. Give a chance to everyone yes, but a chance to climb up the ladder and to leave some people behind.