So, RealBitcoin, which part of the definition of capitalism below relates to voluntarism?
Capitalism = " An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development occurs through the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market. ", thefreedictionary.com.
You still don't get it. I never actually disagreed with you. I'm merely asking you to prove your point with respect to the definition of "free market" which we are discussing.
Again, the definition deals with "private businesses", and not a baker selling bread to the end consumer. So when the bakery (the business) buys flour from another business, where is the Gov. setting/controlling the price?
You fail to see the forest from the tree.
That is a narrow definition, but capitalism as a philosophy can't be summed up in 2 sentences. It is a complex philosophy and economic system.
The basis is private property, that is correct, but that is only the basis and there are other principles. Here is a more explanatory definition from Wikipedia:
Capitalism is an economic system in which trade, industry, and the means of production are privately owned and operated via profit and loss calculation (price signals) through the price system (but we have tons of state owned companies and state owned land that is not used for anything, a waste).[1][2] Central characteristics of capitalism include private property (with huge property taxes), capital accumulation (if you can survive the tax system), wage labour (where the government steals half of your wage) and, in some situations, fully competitive markets. (where we have licensing system and only 2-3 companies are allowed to compete + 1000s of regulations)[3][4] In a capitalist economy, the parties to a transaction typically determine the prices at which they exchange assets, goods, and services. (unfortunately pesky minimal wage, regulations and other indirect influences messes up this system)[5]
The degree of competition, the role of intervention and regulation, and the scope of state ownership vary across different models of capitalism.[6] Economists, political economists, and historians have adopted different perspectives in their analyses of capitalism and have recognized various forms of it in practice. These include laissez-faire or free market capitalism (this is what I want), welfare capitalism, crony capitalism, corporatism, "third way" social democracy and state capitalism (whereas we have a mix of corporatism and welfare capitalism currently with elements of socialism, it's a perfect mixture like the monster from Frankenstein). Each model has employed varying degrees of dependency on free markets, public ownership, obstacles to free competition, and inclusion of state-sanctioned social policies.
The extent to which different markets are free, as well as the rules defining private property, become matters of politics and of policy (it should not be, otherwise it's a phony system). Many states have a mixed economy, which combines elements of both capitalism and centrally planned economics (because Adam Smith and Karl Marx were best buddies, let's mix fire and gasoline next time).[7] Capitalism has existed under many forms of government, in many different times, places, and cultures.[8] Following the decline of mercantilism (it never declined, just look at the huge import/export taxes, and trade regulations), mixed capitalist systems (there are no good mixed systems, thats like mixing potable water with cyanide and drinking it) became dominant in the Western world and continue to spread.[9]
I`ve put in red the important definitions and characteristics, while the text in blue are my comments of it, what we actually have today. So read it through.
