Comments on: Managed versus Market Capitalism

By: Juicy Fruit

Juicy Fruit — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:26:24 +0000

I agree with Leila. Who should have the right to chew gum in their own country?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gum_ban_in_Singapore

Gotta love those anti-gum chewing “benevolent dictators”

By: LEILA POSAW

LEILA POSAW — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:32:59 +0000

Being Asian and having traveled to Singapore annually for the past 15 years, I love Singapore.

As an academic or as an idealogue one can ponder and romanticize capitalism. However as an ordinary person trying to lead an ordinary life, I really like Singapore.

Singapore is a clean, beautiful city with the best airport in the world. It’s beautifully green and well planned. 80% of the population lives in lovely government housing making homelessness rare. The food is delicious and cheap. The two sovereign wealth funds ensures that Singapore has a foreign reserve surplus in the billions. The subway runs at a profit. Singapore airlines (60% government stake) is a dream and the best airline in the world. There are tax incentives to look after aging parents. Need I go on? Oh, personal income taxes are progressive from 0-20%.

For those, who want personal freedoms like pornography and guns, Singapore is not for you. I have never had a problem with information access through the internet or CNN/BBC.

I hope that one day, my government can make money with my medicare/social security so that we can adequately take care of the old/sick. “Managed Capitalism” from a “benevolent dictatorship” works! What does not work, is a handcuffed government and a chained down free market system run by greedy people who just do not care about other people.

By: Scott McNutt

Scott McNutt — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:14:19 +0000

I should think that the proper entrepreneurial attitude for our current situation would be: “I see an opportunity to create dynamic complex systems software which would warn folks early that something systemic is starting to appear foolish at the middle to upper market levels”. Once identified, movement of dollars would regulate. It would certainly drive transparency to lower levels as well. It might even pop bubbles before they get too big.

By: Martin Lindeskog

Martin Lindeskog — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:06:54 +0000

Arthur: You are welcome!

Joe: I recommend you to read Jonathan Hoenig’s book, Greed Is Good. The Capitalist Pig Guide To Investing.

By: Arthur Bland

Arthur Bland — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:03:10 +0000

Thank you for pointing that out to me, Martin!

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:01:54 +0000

As others has said, it’s a fallacy that the United States is a strict market economy. Not only does the fed attempt to manage the economy but we also have the influence of government subsidies. The entire agriculture sector is heavily managed. The financial services sector is also subject to tremendous regulation and, in my mind, rightfully so. Alan Greenspan has said recently that he was wrong to assume that self-interest would prevent players in the derivatives market from doing stupid things. He forgot about the power of greed. We need a certain level of government regulation. But how to find the happy median?

By: Martin Lindeskog

Martin Lindeskog — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:30:51 +0000

Arthur Bland: Good to hear! If you want to learn more about how capitalism really works in theory and practice, check out the Business & Economics section at The Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights. http://snipurl.com/5emnk-mini

By: Arthur Bland

Arthur Bland — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:34:05 +0000

That seems to be interesting, Martin. I am really into free market system but would love to learn how Capitalism really works.

By: Martin Lindeskog

Martin Lindeskog — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:12:09 +0000

I am a supporter of laissez-faire capitalism based on an integrated system of ideas, i.e. a rational philosophy. I recommend you to read Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. You will find three essays by Alan Greenspan.

Best Premises,

Martin Lindeskog – American in Spirit.
Gothenburg, Sweden.

By: Luz Spielberg

Luz Spielberg — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:24:45 +0000

I don’t prefer with a managed capitalism. Nothing really beats than a free market. My goodness sake, it’s good that there will be regulations on the market but being a controlled freak in the government, I don’t think is good.