But it is also clear that left entirely untouched by public policy, the capitalist system will produce more inequality than is socially healthy or than is necessary for maximum efficiency.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Capitalism is, fundamentally, an economic system that promotes inequality.
If allowed to run free of the social system, capitalism will attempt to corrupt and undermine democracy, which is after all not a natural state.
In hindsight it may even seem inevitable that a socialist society will starve when it runs out of capitalists.
Capitalism works better from every perspective when the economic decision makers are forced to share power with those who will be affected by those decisions.
The key thing about wealth in a capitalist economy is that it reproduces itself and usually earns a positive net return.
Capitalist systems function less well without state protection of investors, lenders, and companies against monopoly, deception, and fraud.
While there's capitalism, there'll be socialism, because there is always a response to injustice.
Will capitalist economies operate at full employment in the absence of routine intervention? Certainly not. Are deviations from full employment a social problem? Obviously.
I don't think that left to its own devices, capitalism moves along smoothly and everyone gets treated fairly in the process. Capitalism is like a child: if you want the child to grow up free and productive, somebody's got to look over the shoulder of that child.
If you happen to be in the right place at the right time, the capitalist system is a beautiful thing.