Happy Lunar New Year!

[rothschild]

Social theories only hold together in controlled environments, and if an environment is controlled then freedom is not in the equation, thus capitalism by default is going to be crony capitalism/inverted socialism.


That sentence . . . that one sentence of yours . . . synthesizes and almost encapsulates my current position to a "T".  "Crony" is arguable, but also undeniable in many instances.

You began with capitalism's genesis in mercantilism.  As we are no longer a mercantile based society, that was part of my response with "bastardization and metamorphoses".

We evolved technologically.  And government intervened . . . deeper and deeper.

I also believe, that when discussing capitalism, we either include or exclude any governmental association, as to truly understand and fully appreciate capitalism's foibles and successes.

There are so many wonderful depths and layers, points and rebuttals, with the subject of capitalism.

Unfortunately, most critics I have encountered, spew Karl Marx rhetoric as THE sword to slay the capitalism dragon.  And I have discovered that most, have not read any of his works.

Marx was required reading, in my undergrad classes, as a resource for understanding different economic theories . . . not as a gospel . . . or for the goal of social and societal reform.

I'm no Adam Smith . . . but I'm a far cry from a Keynesian sycophant.  (Yes, deliberately using influencers who have guided US policy makers).

I hope this kinda gives you an idea, of where I stand.

Keynes was a bankster stooge who legitimized an economics that is nothing more than a global Ponzi scheme. Murray Rothbard nails it in his essay on the causes and conditions of depressions. The "business cycle" arrived shortly after central banking showed up. Every single one ends with a massive transfer of wealth to those who take zero risk. Profit is supposed to be earned by taking risk. When you profit without taking any risk you're stealing.

I suspect that Marx was also a bankster stooge. He legitimized violent revolution for the purpose of rapid industrialization, irrespective of the harm done to millions of human beings. You have to be braindead to believe that it was intended for human betterment. Arguing with Marxists is worse than arguing with Jehovah's Witnesses. Far worse.