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RE: Capitalism vs The Free Market

in #philosophy5 years ago (edited)

Let history guide us in this race. Athens, the first, gives us the brightest example of an absolute democracy, and instantly, Athens itself, offers us the most melancholic example of the extreme weakness of this kind of government. The wisest legislator of Greece did not see his Republic remain ten years, and suffered the humiliation of recognizing the insufficiency of absolute democracy to govern any kind of society, not even the most educated, prudent and limited, because only shines with lightning of freedom. Let us recognize, then, that Solon has disillusioned the world; and he has taught him how difficult it is to lead men by simple laws.

The Republic of Sparta, which seemed a chimerical invention, produced more real effects than the ingenious work of Solon. Glory, moral virtue, and, consequently, national happiness, was the result of the legislation of Lycurgus. Although two kings in one state are two monsters to devour him, Sparta had little to feel from his double throne, while Athens promised herself the most splendid fate, with absolute sovereignty, free election of magistrates, often renewed, soft, wise and political laws. Pisistratus, usurper and tyrant was healthier to Athens than his laws; and Pericles, though also a usurper, was the most useful citizen. The Republic of Thebes had no more life than that of Pelopidas and Epaminondas; because sometimes it is men, not principles, that make up governments. The codes, the systems, the statutes, however wise, are dead works that have little influence on societies: virtuous men, patriotic men, enlightened men constitute the republics!

Simón Bolívar, Address at the Congress of Angostura, February 15, 1819 (translated by me)

For a long time I got tired of studying the different systems, and I understood, that the systems don't have a life of their own, the best of the systems would fail if the society is corrupted. On the other hand, current ideologies, highly materialistic, only serve while sustaining a material state, for example, without industry there can be no capitalism, socialism, or communism in the terms that we know today, it could be said that some of its principles could to be applied in a society without industry, but not the ideology itself. If tomorrow we reach another planet and our resources become infinite, and we get the machines to do our work, it would be foolish to maintain capitalism, in that case, communism would be better, on the other hand, at present, proposing communism would simply be ridiculous .

The ideologies are not those that form society, they are the people and the beliefs and virtues that they have.