Spam 2...the next thousand pages....

[Kendrik]

I wonder if unchecked capitalism leads back to feudalism. Capitalism that is kept too much "in checK" seems like a natural path towards socialism.

O' Economic structures, what dost thou haveth in store for thine country of America?

[Lazarus]

Free markets 0wnz socialist ones.

Our "free market" system is so regulated though - wouldn't you say it's approaching something much different from capitalism?

[Kendrik]

That was my point. While our market is still pretty good in contrast to what it could be, it's no longer free capitalism. And at what point does the control of economy move from being capitalistic with government handles to socialistic with some free marketing still permitted?

Our country ain't so bad, but it's far from free capitalism.

But my question still stands, does (truly) free capitalism eventually end up back at feudalism once the companies are in control of everything instead of the land owners?

Just random food for thought.

EDIT: I'm definitely pro-capitalism. Less so for the money factors in themselves, but for the fact that capitalism encourages scientific, medical, and technological advances that there just isn't as much incentive to seek if there's no direct reward for it.

[Lazarus]

I would say yes.

Companies like Wal-Mart and other big franchises have a huge amount of power - too much, imo.

(Yeah - I'm nuts)

[Kendrik]

Companies like Wal-Mart are absolutely huge, but I hate it when the government breaks up huge companies. Granted, by not breaking up a monopoly, there's that potential for returning to feudalism. I guess it's a risk I would rather take. The fact of the matter is, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, etc. are all huge success stories because there were some exceptionally skilled business people working with their projects. I get annoyed with intelligent people are held back. I think that intelligent people should want to help others out, but not be forced to do so.

[Lazarus]

I've read about their business practices though, and it's really disgusting.

Have you heard about the way they treat their employees?

[Kendrik]

I haven't heard of their practices, but why would they change their practices if people still take the jobs? Why cut into profits any more than necessary?

Sounds like feudalism, or the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

I sound like a cynic.

I like capitalism, just not all of the problems that come with it. Still, I prefer the problems of capitalism to the problems of socialism.

[Lazarus]

Oh - so do I.

There just aren't many capitalist countries left anymore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitalism

How many can I name?

The United States

aaaaand...

I can't think of any...

[froman1991]

what does that make the uk?

[Lazarus]

SOCIALIST TO THE BONE, DUDE!

[Kendrik]

Ok, we are distinguishing between capitalism and democracy, right? I should think it possible for there to be a democratic socialistic country and a dictatorial capitalistic country.

Last I checked, the UK was a parliamentary monarchy that's mostly capitalistic. I'm pretty convinced that there's no such thing as a completely capitalistic or socialistic economy. By the way, America is a mostly capitalistic republic, and not technically a democracy.

O' Cynicism, why art thou so cruel? Why dost thou pourest out thy sorrow like torrential rains upon the minds of men? (My "poetic" Old English needs some work.)

[Lazarus]

Wow - I was so wrong.

Weird - I've always thought that the U.K was socialist from reading books about it.

[Kendrik]

That's just my understanding of the UK government and economic structure. That doesn't guarantee that I'm right. I honestly don't know a lot about foreign politics beyond the interaction with the US as seen on the news. I should spend more time learning of world affairs, but I'm just so busy. All the same, I may not be correct in full about the UK, but I was mostly concerned with clarifying that socialism does not directly imply dictatorship, and that capitalism does not directly impliy democracy.

[paintballjunkie]

meh to on-topic for part of me...spamity spam

[Kendrik]

How ironic! Spam is now on-topic!

What's next?