“The real world of capitalism is one in which capitalists demand state intervention on their behalf while opposing government intervention on behalf of their employees or the poor. In a broader sense, the state is the guarantor of the capitalist system, providing the framework of laws and protections it needs to exist. Taxpayers fund the state, thereby ensuring capitalism’s viability. Capitalism cannot exist without a host state, just as corporations cannot exist without property laws, state charters, copyrights and patent protections, and a host of other government “interventions.”
— Brian Oliver Sheppard, The Inefficiency of Capitalism
bleatmop
Mystro
Dead Wild Roses 
5 comments
June 30, 2015 at 7:35 am
john zande
Parasiticism, anyone?
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June 30, 2015 at 10:01 am
The Arbourist
@JZ
Like that, but also with definitions tuned so that it all sounds free-marketey and choosey-choicey, rather than state supported…..
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June 30, 2015 at 8:03 pm
VR Kaine
You know what? For as many arguments/debates I get into on here whenever you all try and talk about Capitalism, this is one I wouldn’t touch and actually agree with everything as quoted.
““The real world of capitalism is one in which capitalists demand state intervention on their behalf while opposing government intervention on behalf of their employees or the poor”
Unfortunately, the more the citizenry allows government to get and be in bed with big business, the further away from true capitalism or the benefits of capitalism that get realized.
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July 1, 2015 at 12:39 pm
The Arbourist
@Vern
*raises eyebrow* – I’ll see what I can do to keep the plebs in line with all their talking and dissident opinions…
With in the change in government here in Alberta steps are being taken to limit business class interests in government. The current slate of appointees are also being reviewed. Much is being done to lessen the linkages between the government and private business sphere.
I assume your ardent support of the provincial NDP will be continuing then? :)
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July 1, 2015 at 5:51 pm
VR Kaine
Keep the “plebs” in line? No way! No fun in that. :)
As for my support, “ardent” wouldn’t be the right word but the support is still there – cautious as it may be. :)
Happy Canada Day to you, Arb, and all my fellow Canucks here, too.
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