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Old 05-12-2008, 05:39 PM
frankdialogue frankdialogue is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Towelie View Post
Ok I just looked them up.


1) Free Market

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/free%20market

an economic system in which prices and wages are determined by unrestricted competition between businesses, without government regulation or fear of monopolies.


2) Monopoly capitalism

No definition on dictionary.com so I had to use wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_monopoly_capitalism


The main Marxist-Leninist thesis is that big business, having achieved a monopoly or cartel position in most markets of importance, fuses with the government apparatus. A kind of financial oligarchy or conglomerate therefore results, whereby government officials aim to provide the social and legal framework within which giant corporations can operate most effectively.
This is a close partnership between big business and government, and it is argued that the aim is to integrate labor-unions completely in that partnership.


3) MERCANTILISM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism

Mercantilism is an economic theory that the prosperity of a nation depends upon its capital, and that the volume of the world economy and international trade is unchangeable. Government economic policy based on these ideas is also sometimes called mercantilism, but is more properly known as the mercantile system. Some scholars conceive the mercantile system as a subset of, or synonymous with, the early stages of capitalism, while others consider mercantilism to be a distinct economic system.



4) Plutocracy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutocracy


Plutocracy is the rule or power through wealth or by the wealthy. In a plutocracy, the degree of economic inequality is high while the level of social mobility is low. This can apply to a multitude of government systems, as the key elements of plutocracy transcend and often occur concurrently with the features of those systems. The word plutocracy (Modern Greek: πλουτοκρατία - ploutokratia) is derived from the ancient Greek root ploutos, meaning wealth and kratein, meaning to rule or to govern.


5) Oligarchy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy

Oligarchy (Greek Ὀλιγαρχία, Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military powers). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (ὀλίγον olígon) and "rule" (ἄρχω arkho). Compare with autocracy (rule by one person) and democracy (rule by the majority).



Now can we discuss Free Market who's definition applies the closest to my Philosophy?
Thanks for your reply...I took the liberty of marking all you entries 1-5...I favor #1, which is Free Market...but, unfortunately, going by the definitions you posted, I would suggestb that nmbers 2 thru 5 apply to the economic model we have now in the USA...2) Monopoly Capitalism: certainly in effect in the USA...all major commodities, banking/financial services & infra-structure (telecom,
media, publishing etc) controlled by cartels...3) Mercantilism: as a theory it has some merit, but as a practice, you could say that it has evolved into 'globalism', which is based on a system of trans-national capitalism, that respects no sovereign boundries of nation states, and in effect puts the total world production of goods and services into the hands of an even worse cartel, one of global: 5)
Oligarchs, who, as illustrated by the Russian example, are solely interested in the quickest and most obscene profits, with absolutely no consideration of the health of the industries they control, or the people who work/depend on them...4) Plutocracy is the top of the pyramid, the richest of the rich, the global elite, in fact those who print and create the money...these think of themselves as 'demi-gods' or 'men of destiny' who, by 'divine right' are 'stewards of the world's wealth'...these are the most dangerous, because they have the most power...'Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely'...only a truly free, America First system, can help us now...I would be in favour of radical 'restructuring' of our money system, tariffs, at least temporarily, and other steps that would lead to a policy of 'Free/Fair Trade.'
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