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Capitalism, sometimes called "Corporatism", is not the same
thing as free enterprise.
Both are certainly preferable to socialism or
communism, but free enterprise is considerably more conducive to freedom and
widespread prosperity than capitalism.
History has proven the following:1) Under capitalism, the
divide between rich and poor naturally increases; 2) In a free enterprise
system, the prosperity, freedom and dignity of nearly everyone in the society
inevitably rises.
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn pointed out that while modern
American capitalism was clearly better than Russia's twentieth-century
communism or Europe's contemporary attempts at socialism, the U.S.
implementation of capitalism left much to be desired.
For example, he noted, under
American capitalism the question of, "is it right?" became less important to
many people and companies than, "is it legal?"
Likewise, the culture of
capitalism frequently asks, "is it profitable?" before (or instead of) asking,
"is it good?"
American capitalism, Solzhenitsyn said, created a nation
more materialistic than spiritual, more interested in superficial success than
genuine human progress.
Note that Solzhenitsyn was adamantly anti-communist and
anti-socialist.
But he also found capitalism lacking.
In every particular, however, Solzhenitsyn's criticisms of
capitalism don't apply to the free enterprise model of economics.
When the law
treats all people and businesses the same--regardless of their size,
connections, power or wealth--an interesting consequence occurs. Put succinctly:
· In socialism the government ignores, downplays
and literally abuses prosperity and freedom to the point that both are lost for
nearly everyone.
· Under capitalism, the laws promote the wealth
and license of a few above the freedom and prosperity of all, with the cultural
result of valuing attainment of wealth above almost everything--including
virtue, compassion, and the liberty of all.
· In free enterprise, the laws treat everyone the
same, thereby incentivizing freedom, prosperity and enterprise (as long as such
enterprise doesn't violate the inalienable rights of others).
The application
of this model is rare in human history, but the results when it has been
applied are nothing less than spectacular (see Ancient Israel, Athens, the
vales period of Switzerland, the Saracens, the Anglo-Saxons, and the United
States--which by 1944 had 6% of the world's population and produced over half of
its goods and services).
The lesson? Freedom works. Enterprise works. And the outcome
when the two are combined is breathtaking.
We are capable of so much more than
we've accomplished so far, and free enterprise is the most powerful economic
system yet to be tried by mankind.
Isn't it time for an end to the outdated debate about
socialism versus capitalism and a national return to the free enterprise system
which made America great?
During its first century-and-a-half of application,
free enterprise brought us major wealth, a standard of living for most citizens
that rivals or surpasses the lifestyles of history's royals, world power, major
technological and medical advancements, and the end of slavery.
It also brought
the repudiation of racism, male dominance, religious persecution and a host of
other ills that have existed for millennia.
With all these areas of progress, imagine what we could do
if we re-adopted the free enterprise values and culture in our time.
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Social Leader Daily by Oliver DeMille
