"Let us be" capitalism

S

speedracer

Banned
I'm looking for a conversation that fleshes out what I'm not thinking of in terms of a defense of laissez-faire capitalism pertaining to China. Large outlays of capital paired with virtually nonexistent regulation seems to be the end goal for the libertarian/conservative economic viewpoint as I understand it in general terms and those seem to me satisfied today in China. I guess my basic questions are:

1. Does anyone else think China meets that threshold? Why or why not?
2. Is China to the point where one can make reasonable inferences about capitalism based on China's experiences (I guess that might be #1 rephrased)?
3. If no on #1/#2, what other conditions need to be satisfied for you to then agree that they are a case study akin to what libertarian/conservative economic thought prescribes?
 
It's not laissez-faire capitalism when the government has too much control over what happens, where and when. (Not to mention the amount of bribery and sweetheart deals that are permitted/tolerated/encouraged, especially in China.) It's unlikely that there ever will be true laissez-faire capitalism anywhere in the world because even that system still needs a "referee" in government, but I can't see government being content with just that role and so you see the continuous intrusions which become power grabs (in China, the U.S. and really everywhere). The communist government in China amplifies some of these negative aspects because the leaders can't be voted out, so in many places they are more entrenched.
 
I agree with you. I guess my question then is what political form of government is most able to contain these abuses? I want to say parliamentary, but I'm honestly not sure. The faux-communist model is awful at it and the republic has fallen to its knees before it. What else can we do to tame this beast?
 
[quote name='fatherofcaitlyn']Wake people up.[/QUOTE]
I've gotten to the point where I think it's obvious that it's the economic system of capitalism itself that is the problem. I'm trying damn hard to think of ideas that are contrary. Where am I going wrong FoC?
 
[quote name='speedracer']I've gotten to the point where I think it's obvious that it's the economic system of capitalism itself that is the problem. I'm trying damn hard to think of ideas that are contrary. Where am I going wrong FoC?[/QUOTE]

If we were a hardcore socialistic, feudalistic, theocratic or anyistic type of country, we would have much of the same problems.

The average American is a completely oblivious sack of shit meandering through life who can be convince happiness come in the form of a pill, a new car, a new TV, new TV shows or anything outside of self-evaluation.

Capitalism bad? Maybe.

Stupidity bad? Definitely.
 
[quote name='fatherofcaitlyn']The average American is a completely oblivious sack of shit meandering through life who can be convince happiness come in the form of a pill, a new car, a new TV, new TV shows or anything outside of self-evaluation.

Capitalism bad? Maybe.

Stupidity bad? Definitely.[/QUOTE]

To paraphrase a movie I vaguely remember "I trust a man whose god is green because he can be reasoned with"

Now it's true there are all sorts of problems with crass materialism, but IMO it doesn't hold a candle to the problems wrought by the religious right.
 
[quote name='fatherofcaitlyn']If we were a hardcore socialistic, feudalistic, theocratic or anyistic type of country, we would have much of the same problems.

The average American is a completely oblivious sack of shit meandering through life who can be convince happiness come in the form of a pill, a new car, a new TV, new TV shows or anything outside of self-evaluation.

Capitalism bad? Maybe.

Stupidity bad? Definitely.[/QUOTE]
Fair enough.
 
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