economic system poll

[opebo]

What a poor set of choices Cereal has offered us. 

The difference between 'capitalism' and 'free market capitalism' is so small as to be of no effect whatsoever.

The blatantly biased term 'psuedo socialism' covers an enormous territory from America's happy days of Keynesian redistributionist capitalism to the comfortable welfare states of modern Western European Capitalism.  In all cases, these societies are primarily capitalistic, with very minor attempts to reduce capitalism's inherent heirarchy of abuse.

Finally we are left with 'Socialism' to cover, presumably, everything from the satisfying but chaotic Revolution, where the oppressed get to slit the throats of their owners, to the staid but unproductive system of State ownership of industry, as in the good old Soviet Union.

As usual Milky has made a bad poll.

[opebo]

Free Market Capitalism (sane)

Most people are answering the question this way without a full understanding of what free market capitalism is.

These poor dolts don't realize that unless they're millionaires, they're voting for a system that leads to their own desperate impoverishment.

[opebo]

I agree with you.  I favor a Keynesian system that reduces many of the rough edges of laissez-faire capitalism.

Great role models are - Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany.  It boggles the mind that the toiling masses of the USA are too dim to realize this.

[opebo]

Keynesian Capitalism

Such things do not exist, prude.  A system with the word "Keynesian" implies some form of socialism (options 3 or 4)

No, it implies a form of Capitalism that has a very small amount of 'socialism' as well.  It is silly to call something by what is a very small aspect of it.

For example
                                        Capitalism                         Socialism
Laissez-faire                        95%                                    5%
Capitalism (status quo)        90%                                  10%
Keyensian capitalism            70-80%                             20-30%
Social Democracy                  50-70%                             30-50%
Socialism Soviet style            5-20%                               80-95%

[opebo]

Socialism

I also voted for 'socialism', given the unrealistic choices Milky offered. 

[opebo]

For example
                                        Capitalism                         Socialism
Laissez-faire                        95%                                    5%

That's a contradiction in terms.  Laissez-faire or free market implies absolutely no socialism.  The ARE no regulations, price controls, minimum wage, trust busting ect.

Laissez-faire still has State run courts, law, police, military etc.  So it is at least 5% socialistic.  100% 'capitalism' would be the law of the jungle, and someone would have your head on a spike, Milky.

[opebo]

I agree with you.  I favor a Keynesian system that reduces many of the rough edges of laissez-faire capitalism.

Great role models are - Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany.  It boggles the mind that the toiling masses of the USA are too dim to realize this.

Norway and the Netherlands don't have that much of a welfare state, esp the Netherlands.

Source?

I can't find a lot on this, but I find your assertion hard to believe.  The Dutch and Norwegians allow the poor to starve in the street, American-style?

[opebo]

For example
                                        Capitalism                         Socialism
Laissez-faire                        95%                                    5%

That's a contradiction in terms.  Laissez-faire or free market implies absolutely no socialism.  The ARE no regulations, price controls, minimum wage, trust busting ect.

Laissez-faire still has State run courts, law, police, military etc.  So it is at least 5% socialistic.  100% 'capitalism' would be the law of the jungle, and someone would have your head on a spike, Milky.

Not necesarily.  Capitalism implies that the government provides the proper economic arena for businesses to compete, with regards to law and government issued money (or capital, to link it to the name).

Right, all of which are 'socialist' in the sense that they are provided by the State.

[opebo]

For example
                                        Capitalism                         Socialism
Laissez-faire                        95%                                    5%

That's a contradiction in terms.  Laissez-faire or free market implies absolutely no socialism.  The ARE no regulations, price controls, minimum wage, trust busting ect.

Laissez-faire still has State run courts, law, police, military etc.  So it is at least 5% socialistic.  100% 'capitalism' would be the law of the jungle, and someone would have your head on a spike, Milky.

Not necesarily.  Capitalism implies that the government provides the proper economic arena for businesses to compete, with regards to law and government issued money (or capital, to link it to the name).

Right, all of which are 'socialist' in the sense that they are provided by the State.

No, they are not. Government's role is to prevent certain things (like criminals or barbarian invasions) from breaking the nation apart, making things a bit safer for capitalism. A fine distinction, to be sure.

There's a big difference between a minimalist nation that simply provides a military, police, justice system, and basic diplomacy, and a state with a full-out welfare state. You say so yourself.

No, there's actually very little difference.  As long as the State monopolizes power, it is organizing society into heirarchy.  Its just that the one under Capitalism maximizes inequality.