Dr. Bethel, over at Blogworld has realised that we really don’t agree on that much after all.
She points out in recent post that:
Since our brief moment of harmony, though, I think we’re going to part ways again. Here’s why hell couldn’t have stayed frozen for long. [More…]
Of course, she tends to take the view that the state is the great solver of the problems of the citizens of the world, and I obviously take the opposite view. I believe that individual initiative or Human Action…not political design is what makes the world go ’round as John Stossel points out in this video below.
Ten minutes or so of his presentation he concentrates on education, but there are lots of sound economic principles throughout the speech and question and answer period.
My apologies on the width of the video. I could not detemine how to make it fit properly.
Of course, she tends to take the view that the state is the great solver of the problems of the citizens of the world
??!?!!?
I haven’t checked into Sandilands yet. I’ve never said that – I work for government, for lord’s sake.
I have socialist leanings, but that doesn’t mean that I think that the state is the owner/legislator of all our actions. That’s communism; my socialism leans towards working for the collective, rather than the individual, good. I’m not sure when last any state did such a thing.
I also don’t buy the idea that capitalism solves all problems either. On one level, the freer the trade, the more room bullies have to operate. I support the idea of rules, of enforcement that enables a level playing field to exist for all. I believe in entrepreneurship and small business; it’s big business, and muscle, and crushing of competition at all costs (all of which I associate with unbridled capitalism — correct me if I’m wrong) that I oppose. It’s as deadly to entrepreneurship and innovation as any state rule.
All the best, and I read your stuff with interest.
Thanks for visiting and commenting Nico.
Sorry if I misinterpreted your remarks, but Socialism is anathema to me as I’m sure you know.
I do not think that Capitalism solves all problems either. However, Capitalism does raise more people out of poverty than any other system I’ve seen so far. To paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill: Capitalism is the unequal sharing of wealth while Socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
Entrepreneurship is enhanced with Capitalism and is constantly changing who the leading businesses are as inventions are made and consumers tastes change. Schumpeter called it Creative Destruction.
Politicians never allow unbridled Capitalism. There are many more laws and requirements that businesses must follow these days and they still cannot stop the rogues that surface from time to time – just like in politics.