Do we have capitalist or a centrally managed/ communist country?

When I think capitalism one thing that comes to mind is competing currencies possibly managed by the states, I don't think Federal Reserve and a giant centrally managed economy or command economy.

Command Economy

A centrally planned economy is an economic system in which the state or government makes economic decisions rather than the these being made by the interaction between consumers and businesses. Read more: Centrally Planned Economy www.investopedia.com... Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

Every year since the inception of the Federal Reserve and FDR's original banker bailout's we have inched closer to a full blown command economy. This is a key piece in the puzzle of communism that we have been moving towards.

Unlike a market economy — in which private citizens and business owners make production decisions Read more: Centrally Planned Economy www.investopedia.com... Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

Yes we do have remnant's of a free market system that are barely holding but every year as fewer and fewer people actually own something in this country and have a say in what's happening we move closer and closer towards a full blown socialist government.

In these kinds of economies, prices are all controlled, the government sets plans for the future and the economy is handled by bureaucrats. There is generally no reward for taking an economic risk and corporations are not allowed to fail.

I highlight the important parts here. Some of you are old enough to remember the banker bailouts in 2008 and the too big to fail banks and other corporation's like GM. Government bureaucrats already make most major business choices in this country through zoning laws, licensing, OSHA and many many many other forms of control implement to control how where what and why happens in our markets.

Centrally planned economies assume that the market does not work in the best interest of the people and that a central authority needs to make decisions to meet social and national objectives.

What about Obamacare, is that centrally planned or command or communist? It's really psuedo communist/ command economy due to the fact that you are forced to buy it but no price controls are put in place which is a disaster. Most of you are aware of that. Why would they provide a quality product at a good price when you are forced to buy?

These justifications are often made on the grounds of egalitarianism, environmentalism, anti-corruption or anti-consumerism, which proponents of central planning do not consider that the free market adequately addresses. Investopedia on Facebook

This is the basis of the Bernie Bro's argument. Now, I like a lot of the problems they point out and I go back and forth between free market solutions and what are the limits of the free market if any? It's not an exact science. These are discussions that need to be had.

My contention is that we already have a command economy there are only a very few key element's missing. Government bureaucrat's already determine most of the market and the central banks are able to set economic policy and create/ pop bubbles at will. The idea of a free market in the US died officially with FDR and became terminal in 1913 with the inception of the Federal Reserve System.

Some website about China

China's economy has grown increasingly faster since the 1978 introduction of economic reforms. The Chinese official statistics show that real gross domestic product (GDP) from 1979 to 1999 was growing at an average annual rate of 9.7 percent, making China one the world's fastest growing economies. According to the World Bank, China's rapid development has raised nearly 200 million people out of extreme poverty.

I always hear about the propaganda regarding the Chinese and how they run their government but their system for managing the market really isn't that much different. They to have a pseudo command/ free market system.

The first of China's economic reforms started in 1978 when Den Xiaoping came into power again. The reforms concentrated on the agricultural production system in rural areas. The central government initiated price and ownership incentives for farmers; for the first time, farmers were able to sell a portion of their crops on the free market. In addition, the reforms tried to attract foreign investment, boost exports, and begin the importation of high technology products into the country. To do this, the government established 4 special economic zones (SEZs). Additional reforms followed in stages that sought to decentralize economic policymaking in several economic sectors, especially trade. As a part of the decentralization of economic policymaking, provincial and local governments took economic control of various enterprises, allowing them to operate and compete on free market principles.

As you can see China has been moving towards a more psuedo open market system similar to us for decades.

No, what America has is Corporatism/Oligarchy control. Nothing Communist about the country at all. People still need money to buy stuff and work their butts off to survive with barely any breaks.

a reply to: makemap

needing money doesn't change anything though, the core tenant's of communism are government planning and ownership of production

although they don't directly own everything they centrally manage the entire economy as does the federal reserve with a psuedo free market corporatist/ communist system

I just heard this exact same verbiage today on a Youtube video. I guess the conservative, government hating fascists just got new talking points??

You do know our country right now is the most capitalist it's been since the Robber Baron era right?

a reply to: CB328

That's completely ridiculous they didnt vow down to city councils zoning laws OSHA and other regulatory bodies

Give me a break

I just heard this exact same verbiage today on a Youtube video. I guess the conservative, government hating fascists just got new talking points??

What ,you live in Germany ? Or Venezuela ?

"Of the enemy in front of me and the bankers behind me , it is the latter I fear most"
Abraham Lincoln

When the richest people in the world like Jeff Bezos can lobby(legally bribe) politicians into not having to pay taxes on his $150 BILLION business, while many of his employees earn so little that even though employed, they still qualify for welfare... a centrally managed communist country is exactly what we have.

All I really know for sure is that I have no idea what I actually have. And as long as I don't know anything else, I cannot say that I have any meaningful choice in the matter.

a reply to: toysforadults


The government tells you when and what can do with laws, written by the government. All governments do. It begs the question what kind of government do you want?

a reply to: toysforadults

I agree that the bankers are the global govt but I dont think they are capo;s or commies.

I really dont think they give a stuff about either.

All they want is ownership of the world and everything that it contains.

I think they just push one lever forward when it suits them and pull that back and shove the other lever foreward when it suits them and drive their bulldozer over the world.

I reckon seeing people getting all hot under the collar about capoism or commi ism must make the bankers and their other global giant partners laugh their box off all the way home.

a reply to: toysforadults
I can't comment on the US but as a Brit I'm happy enough with 'socialist' healthcare, education for my kids, welfare for poor people etc.
I am free to earn as much money as I like, I'm lazy though hence me being on ATS all the time, I'm self employed and only ever work 2 or 3 days a week, the rest of the time I'm chilling out.

Pseudo socialism is great in my opinion, I love being a lazy peasant. I have no love for the Crown but it's not like I can change that without the help of a national revolt so I'll just chill and enjoy being lazy, because I can.
Keep your cut throat 60 hour weeks just to exist thanks, even UK employees have a better life than those in the US, 6 weeks paid holiday, sickness pay, 37 hour weeks, yep you can shove your 'freedom' of your republic lol.

originally posted by: Azureblue
a reply to: toysforadults

I agree that the bankers are the global govt but I dont think they are capo;s or commies.

I really dont think they give a stuff about either.

All they want is ownership of the world and everything that it contains.

I think they just push one lever forward when it suits them and pull that back and shove the other lever foreward when it suits them and drive their bulldozer over the world.

I reckon seeing people getting all hot under the collar about capoism or commi ism must make the bankers and their other global giant partners laugh their box off all the way home.

I agree I just wanted to bust the myth of a free market

originally posted by: rexsblues
When the richest people in the world like Jeff Bezos can lobby(legally bribe) politicians into not having to pay taxes on his $150 BILLION business, while many of his employees earn so little that even though employed, they still qualify for welfare... a centrally managed communist country is exactly what we have.

I agree. This is actually where nearly 70% of our pppulation is at in this country. Its obviously broken and people are begging for more of it

I dont know what does work but what we have now for sure doesn't work

a reply to: CornishCeltGuy

Must be nice in the US you need to work in near slavery conditions to get ahead

originally posted by: makemap
No, what America has is Corporatism/Oligarchy control. Nothing Communist about the country at all. People still need money to buy stuff and work their butts off to survive with barely any breaks.

Pretty much although a more correct terminology could be corporate slaves.

originally posted by: toysforadults
a reply to: CornishCeltGuy

Must be nice in the US you need to work in near slavery conditions to get ahead

I'd wish average UK working conditions for everyone in the world. Honestly, when I read of people doing 60 hour weeks just to get by it actually saddens me.
I'll admit I'm ruled by a Crown which I cannot vote out, but I am a happy enough peasant. I think that's the key to the success of the constitutional monarchy lasting so long, the peasants get just enough crumbs to be happy so most folk don't care.

originally posted by: toysforadults
a reply to: CornishCeltGuy

Must be nice in the US you need to work in near slavery conditions to get ahead

If you pay attention you might notice mist folk from UK or other western nations constantly make the point that you guys in the U.S are being screwed over royally..

originally posted by: CornishCeltGuy

originally posted by: toysforadults
a reply to: CornishCeltGuy

Must be nice in the US you need to work in near slavery conditions to get ahead

I'd wish average UK working conditions for everyone in the world. Honestly, when I read of people doing 60 hour weeks just to get by it actually saddens me.
I'll admit I'm ruled by a Crown which I cannot vote out, but I am a happy enough peasant. I think that's the key to the success of the constitutional monarchy lasting so long, the peasants get just enough crumbs to be happy so most folk don't care.

Exactly, its only the American peasants we see calling for open war against not only their own citizens but against foreign nations as well.