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[Lee Haslup <biglee AT haslups.com>]

Paul Cory wrote:

>  Neither capitalism nor socialism, in their pure forms, works well. 
> However, a blend of the two, such as exists in America, seems to work 
> really well. 

The problem I always have with the arguments of  "third-way" types is 
that I find it a bit hard to grasp what they mean by "pure" capitalism 
(the kind that doesn't work.)  It seems to be some sort of mirror image 
of socialist utopianism -- reversed, but not that different.  A pure 
socialist believes that any resources in excess of  what is needed for 
sensible living should be used to bring up the general level of 
wellbeing of society as a whole.  He would never dream of spending that 
excess on something that he personally wants merely because he finds it 
interesting or important or beautiful.  A pure capitalist, on the other 
hand apparently believes that resources in excess of what is needed for 
sensible living should be invested to make a profit.  He, too, would 
never dream of spending his money on something he merely wants.  The 
second he spends a nickel on himself he ceases to be a "pure" 
capitalist.  Ebeneezer Scrooge was, more or less, a "pure" capitalist 
before his conversion, and like all such archetypes, he is a work of 
fiction.

A more useful continuum, one that doesn't wrap around and meet at the 
ends, is one based on a laissez-faire, libertarian calculus -- with 
individuals making all economic decisions at one end of the continuum 
and politicians making the decisions at the other.  Most people tend to 
recognize this as similar to the Socialist/Capitalist spectrum.   I 
realize that by saying "politicians" instead of "the government" I have 
revealed where on this continuum I tend to hang out.  Nonetheless, it is 
true that there is a "best" point on the continuum that is not at either 
of the ends.  Paul is right about that.   Socialism is a fragrant load 
of crap but sometimes you need just a bit to grow proper tomatoes.  
Where we disagree is on the location of that optimal spot.  Paul appears 
to think that knee-deep is not enough.  Personally, I could do with less.

Lee