Posted on 08/20/2025 4:46:16 AM PDT by MtnClimber
For a long time, the American economic system has been defined by the imprecise term "capitalism." The system varies in its application. When conservatives are in power, the government favors free markets and less state intervention. When liberals rule, social safety nets and regulations are given more free rein.
Regardless of the application, America’s economic system maintains robust growth because its most important sectors favor the free market ideal. That is why America stands out economically.
A Changing Narrative
That economic narrative is now changing. State intervention is taking on a positive meaning. Populist movements see government as a political tool they can use to leverage economic policy in favor of their agendas. Government economic holdings are increasing in the name of national security, employment opportunities, or the common good.
Classical economists warn that such use of power is dangerous since it easily becomes abusive. Government overinvolvement in the economy can bog down everything and send the wrong signals to markets. When the government extends favors, it expects others in return. Once the government invests in a project, it tends to sustain it even when it fails.
The new model cannot be called socialism since it does not involve total control of the means of production. However, it is a form of state capitalism, a broadly defined term where the state guides the decisions of nominally private companies and makes demands on them. Others, like the Wall Street Journal, call it corporate statism, which expresses a closer model of cooperation between government and private industry.
Most Americans consider state capitalism in any form to be the problem of China, some European nations, and other leftist states that cannot shake free of the habit of state control of the economy. However, new policies are making it America’s problem, and it must be
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
Oh, how I dislike when writers use Marx’s term “capitalism”. I wish they would use “Free Enterprise” or something similar.
This idea bears the Benito Mussolini Stamp of Approval ...
“Government economic holdings are increasing in the name of national security, employment opportunities, or the common good.
”
Benito Mussolini called if fascism or corporatism. The government owning business isn’t exactly a feature of capitalism.
I guess our new term is “state capitalism”.
we don’t have capitalism. We have corporatism. Where people in power use government contracts to enrich themselves and their friends through cronyism. By giving their family seats on corporate boards and yielding power over the rest of us with their incestuous control of government and corporations.
Under 47, the US government will shortly have a financial stake in 5 major corporations.
Keep repeating the words “free enterprise” over and over. It will help get the word capitalism out of your system.
The USA, with its insane regulation burden, has been in a form of quasi socialism for quite some time.
It must return to its “free enterprise” roots quickly. Frig’ government intervention everywhere you can for it is the monster when it comes to theft.
“we don’t have capitalism. We have corporatism. Where people in power use government contracts to enrich themselves and their friends through cronyism. By giving their family seats on corporate boards and yielding power over the rest of us with their incestuous control of government and corporations.”
Absolutely! There is a huge misconception. Free Market Capitalists mistakenly support Corporatism as a form of Capitalism. They are completely misguided. Corporatism is a form of Fascism and the exact opposite of Free Market Capitalism. Corporatism makes the rules for the State. Corporatism enslaves the Governments and societies they control.
Corporatism:
: the organization of a society into industrial and professional corporations serving as organs of political representation and exercising control over persons and activities within their jurisdiction.
“Under 47, the US government will shortly have a financial stake in 5 major corporations.”
Reminds me of the time they caused a rush to turn in used cars called “cash for clunkers” and since that time the price of used cars has been insanely high and almost all cars sold today have some form of tracking technology.
Economy is not government.
The primary purpose of government in general is to maintain order and protect citizens.
In US government, “protect” includes rights with equal protection under the law because the people are supreme.
In economies, free market is wholly run by the people (i.e. “supreme” as above), but to maintain rights and order, the government may step in to address frauds or other crimes.
So maybe “free and equal” market is best.
If the US dollar weren’t the worlds reserve currency and we weren’t willing to literally kill people for economic gain, much of our so called “capitalist wealth” would vaporize.
These two factors play a major macro level role and the wealth generated does trickle down.
We have corporatism. Where people in power use government contracts to enrich themselves and their friends through cronyism.
......
And that gets outsourced to places like Ukraine with the Hunter Biden types and eventually full on money laundering ops.
And then we can get endless wars and endless proxy wars
Completely agree! Do NOT use the enemy's language.
Yeah that program was an 0bama disaster.
But they were opposed to supporting Israel because Israel was "socialist!"
and somehow Pompeo ended up on a corporate board of a ukraine coropration
CIA in one’s foreground or background has privileges, too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.