Absolute Capitalism

Well most economists believe you have to have private property in order for there to be capitalism but without government intervention in business, you have no definition of private property or means to protect it.
 
No government control in the economy at all. The most power they'd have would be to tax, so as to help provide things such as roads and defense, though these could be handed off to private institutions eventually, and taxes could be abolished, period.

After that, the government's only function would be to preserve the moral wholesomeness of society. And if we can make it so social groups maintain this, then the government is no longer necessary.

This is all talking about idealism, however, and unlike the Left, I do not ascribe to ideal circumstances.
 
No government control in the economy at all. The most power they'd have would be to tax, so as to help provide things such as roads and defense, though these could be handed off to private institutions eventually, and taxes could be abolished, period.

You realize the technologically regressive effect this would have on society, I assume?

After that, the government's only function would be to preserve the moral wholesomeness of society. And if we can make it so social groups maintain this, then the government is no longer necessary.

Not even to protect the property rights of the rich?
 
Yes, why would anyone ever buy anything from a morally unwholesome business? :rolleyes:
 
Not even to protect the property rights of the rich?

In this ideal world, the people would already respect property rights; there'd be no need for the government to protect them. Just as in the Communist ideal world, there'd be no need for the government to enforce the system; the people themselves would do it.

Should the government step in if businesses become morally unwholesome?

Like xarthaz would say, that's where the public displays of affection come in.

Yes, why would anyone ever buy anything from a morally unwholesome business? :rolleyes:

There you go. You all answered this one nicely.
 
In this ideal world, the people would already respect property rights; there'd be no need for the government to protect them. Just as in the Communist ideal world, there'd be no need for the government to enforce the system; the people themselves would do it.
There's a gigantic difference in the idealism of communism and the idealism of capitalism. The former can actually work and isn't exploitative.
 
In this ideal world, the people would already respect property rights; there'd be no need for the government to protect them. Just as in the Communist ideal world, there'd be no need for the government to enforce the system; the people themselves would do it.

The point with communism is that everyone has what they need to survive, so there's no reason for them to want someone else's stuff. But capitalism systematically denies large parts of the population of these things, so there's every reason for them to want the rich's stuff.

There you go. You all answered this one nicely.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/sarcasm1.htm
 
Absolut Capitalism would make for a good vodka.
 
It's an impossibility because the government is necessary to enforce contracts. It's also necessary to balance out externalities.
 
Does the government maintain a monopoly on the use of force?


But without any government intervention in the economy you'll see rapid development of enormous monopolies that will use predatory tactics to bring down any new comers to the market. In time, such a concentration of profits will likely lead to the concentration of land ownership as well. If that were to happen, you'll see business entities buying up whole tracts of residential land, and then either taxing the inhabitants to use it, or simply leasing the land to them so long as it's use serves the business.

Then if you assume the government has also ceded it's monopoly on the use of force, these same entities will start maintaining private security forces to enforce their laws, and then a steady slide into feudalism and mercantilism, until such time as one party becomes strong enough to enforce it's will on the others, at which point it becomes the new government, and will be very interested in intervening in the economy.

It's basically the story of Europe since the Dark Ages. All this has happen before, and is just waiting to happen again.
 
History Buff has a good answer.

I see absolute capitalism as the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, only about a hundred times worse.
 
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