General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Capitalism is NOT a dirty word. [View all]delrem
(9,688 posts)"If only"....
But capitalism is a system where those who have capital (essentially: material wealth in $ form) use it to buy ownership of the planet's natural resources, to buy the means of production and distribution, in order to further the acquisition of even more capital. In the process capitalism must utilize labor, at the *least* cost possible so as to guarantee the greatest profit possible.
As such it's hardly a system that a *country* should identify itself with! Insofar as capitalism is allowed to operate in a country, this ought to be very restricted, just as any other private ventures.
Several factors usually thought essential to a viable socially-responsible state, or country ("socialist" country) are: state ownership of all natural resources; universal health/medical/pharmaceutical care; state guarantees of universal education; guarantee of a minimum standard of living; guarantees of freedom of association (in particular, guarantees of a right to form worker unions). None of these factors contradict limited and regulated capitalist enterprise.
Seems to me that Capitalism with a large 'C' is split amongst two dominant kinds: state capitalism a la China's model, and international corporate capitalism as promoted (far too often militarily) by the USA. Both are extremely blunt instruments - and sensible folk ought to beware of both.