Topic: Economics
Capitalism, A Bulwark of Freedom Capitalism provides the best environment for the ideals of freedom and liberty, why then are so many government officials undermining it?by Republicae
(libertarian)
Friday, January 9, 2009
What is free market capitalism? It is certainly nothing like what we witness today which resembles more of an official corporatism than actual capitalism. The first principle of capitalism is the Right of Private Property; it is the foundation, in fact of all other Rights, for without it the individual is at the mercy of superior power.
Capitalism, under a truly free market economy, rest upon the foundation that the individual holds complete and absolute ownership Rights over his person and from that ownership flows the Right of Private Property. Each of us is our own Private Property and the government holds no title to any portion of our persons or our property. Under a system of free market capitalism each person is free to create the world in which he lives, along with that freedom however, comes the responsibility of the world you create for yourself.
Any form of intervention, whether it be from the government or any other force is contrary to the most basic principles from which capitalism is structured. Any initiation against these principles is aggression, whether it is achieved through actual physical force or even the coercive threat of force or penalty. The system of free market capitalism is a totally based on the voluntary actions of each member of society in mutually beneficial relationships to provide the greatest return on the energy exerted by both parties involved in any given transaction. Capitalism is not dog eat dog, quite the contrary, it is a mutually beneficial contract of action and exchange.
Since the 1860's, we have been living under a gradual system of official corporatism, it has grown to the point that capitalism, as we see, is nothing more than a by-word, a catch-all for the problems that the government and its corporate privileged class. Indeed, there has been a very real and powerful "Caste System" that has been created through this Socialistic Corporatism that this government has coddled through the years. It Must End!
There is but one legitimate means for any individual, or company or corporation to accomplish the goals of prosperity and that is through the economic free market principles of capitalism, which both supports and is supported by the sound foundational principle of Individual Liberty!
The secret of prosperity is to provide the greatest value to your own individual activities so you can, in turn, place the greatest value on the activities of others. These cooperative and voluntary relationships induce productive gains for all parties concerned, and it is the working gears of the free market exchange.
I firmly believe that all men [generically speaking] are created equal, but that opportunity is an individual initiative which requires complete responsibility for ones actions and the consequences of those actions. A person can become adept in wisdom, and just in his dealings with others, especially in business or on the job, when he is able to judge his own behavior in an honest way based solely upon his the responsibility he takes for his own actions. It is sobering indeed to see yourself reflected in the mirror of self-ownership.
Additionally, I also believe that free market capitalism is the instrument that would provide each of us an environment to develop virtues that cannot be possible under any other economic system. I say that because, contrary to the common portrayal of free-market capitalism, it can allow the individual to advance himself and his goals only by furthering the goals of other individuals around him without coercion, without violence or compulsion. Competition is a great character builder, not only in terms of business, but in personal terms. True free-market capitalism provides the necessary components to develop a prudent circumspect for ones own actions and how those actions affect the lives of others.
Capitalism, in its purest free-market form, provides the greatest ability to combat the forces of authoritarianism, totalitarianism and even nationalism than any other form of economics, is it therefore, any surprise that there are so many voices against the principles of free-market capitalism?
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 16 thumbs so far
The views expressed in this
article are those of Republicae only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Republicae is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Excellent article republicae. couldn't agree more except that you included "corporation" in para 5. because of "limited liability" I don't believe they have a right to exist in a true free market. once they exceed their liability the risk, loss, damage, etc. becomes socialized and we all pay. not their only advantage either. otherwise, very nice!
For those of us who can take care of ourselves ~ by that I mean, getting along in life by our skills and abilities ~ you're right, in many ways, about capitalism. But, for those who can't take care of themselves ~ for whatever innumerable reasons ~ capitalism is like telling a drowning man that you'll only throw him a life jacket if he has $50 to give you. Not everyone has $50.
There needs to be a benevolent and fair-minded government to temper the harsh and heartless choices of an arrogant elite who haven't suffered the bitter life lessons that a privately controlled economy imposes.
And, there needs to be a strong government to organize, legislate, adjudicate, and provide public goods ~ like water, sewer, police, army, schools, etc ~ that wouldn't be provided without it. But, I'm sure you'll disagree. Even a blind man is free to say that the color of a painting is wrong when, in fact, he doesn't even know what color it is.
Posted By: Jake, the champion of the constitution
Date: 2009-01-09 20:45:40
Dear MC,
I have a question for you if you want to answer - when you say a strong government to provide water, sewer, police, army, schools, do you mean strong FEDERAL or LOCAL government?
With the exception of the army, I can't see any possible way that a Federal gov't will actually do this efficiently on a local level. And on a local level, its really up to the people that live locally right? Why be beholden to some Wash DC bigshot with all the power over many vicinities?
Hey, happy new year btw! You may not believe this, but I missed you and your column the past few weeks!
It's always about the MONEY. Federal grants and assistance for regions where there ISN'T a strong enough local community. Do you think Podunk, Iowa, can put in sewer systems, roads, etc, with just the revenue in their community? (I don't really know anything about Podunk, or even if it's a real place ~ I'm from Michigan ~ but I'm using it to represent a small community.)
It isn't always Federal EXPERTISE, but there is always Federal MONEY. Maybe not in one or two projects, but even then, Federal grants free up money for other projects as well.
Thank you for your best wishes. I've been writing other things in other places. Even making progress on some fiction.
Posted By: Jake, the champion of the constitution
Date: 2009-01-12 02:19:37
Dear MC -
Well, perhaps Podunk should keep using port-o-johns :)
I guess I should have added the STATE as one of the above options, I suppose we just differ on our views of things. If its actually advantageous for Podunk to add a sewer, why wouldn't they be able to raise the capital with some muni-bonds or raise it via the community?
Why should you, living in MI, give a hoot about Podunk's sewers? What if Podunk feels like building a bridge, should I be taxed from CA for that too?
And, let's say you are OK with Podunk's plans for bridges and sewers - although what is most likely is neither you nor I will have any idea - what about me in CA? I want sewers too! Its so stinky!
So, just leave it up to the "decider" federal government?? I guess my question about being beholden to the bigshots in Washington still stands.
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
