Do you think that, capitalism is the enemy of democracy?

1. 53

   icvposted 7 years ago

   Do you think that, capitalism is the enemy of democracy?

   replyreport
2. 95

   lions44posted 7 years ago

   Absolutely not.  They go hand and hand.  Apathy and cynicism are the enemies of democracy.  Capitalism can flourish in a totalitarian regime (i.e. China) but democracy can't flourish if there is not the free flow of goods and services. People making their own decisions about their future. Where to live? Finding a job?

   replyreport
   1. 53

      icvposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for sharing your views

      replyreport
3. 87

   AnnaMKBposted 7 years ago

   Not at all.  Capitalism fosters democracy.  Totalitarian forms of government can try to control capitalism, but that's about it.
   
   Capitalism has done more to improve lives and lift people out of poverty than any other system that has ever existed.

   replyreport
   1. 53

      icvposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for sharing a valid point here. History has shown the benefits of dcapitalism

      replyreport
4. 85

   tamarawilhiteposted 7 years ago

   No, capitalism is not the enemy of democracy. It is only free trade that led to the idea we should have free exchange of ideas, too.
   Socialist and communist societies are totalitarian, saying the state is the most important institution, and tending to limit freedom of speech and association that the state doesn't like.

   replyreport
   1. 53

      icvposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That's great. I agree with your concluding remarks

      replyreport
5. 76

   alancaster149posted 7 years ago

   In a way they've been bedfellows here since the 1920s, when general emancipation allowed men and women the vote in the UK. Non-property owners got the vote after WWII, when Clement Attlee took up residence in No.10.
   Sometimes it's been hard to tell, such as when 'Teflon' Tony B moved into the des res in Downing Street. Between him and Cherie similarities with the Tories were never so close, although when the 'Iron Lady' was in No.10 we found it hard to tell who was Queen.(and Liz had a hard time with her as well).
   It's easier now though, David Cameron's had to call on Obama for opening his mouth on behalf of the pro-EU 'Stay In' campaign. What with DC's and Obama's money/law background, capitalism and democracy are in each other's back pockets.
   Hooray for le similarite!    .

   replyreport
   1. 53

      icvposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Alan for your comment

      replyreport
6. 72

   manatita44posted 7 years ago

   Capitalism is the enemy of man. We are influenced by modern consumerism; by Greed; power; lusts .... we are seemingly running along with Robert Mitchum to the River of No Return.
   
   All this is simply for emphasis, though. I remain an optimist, and we are actually moving forward. Let God do this in His own way. Ours is to do our part. Much Love.

   replyreport
   1. 87

      AnnaMKBposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Greed, power and lust are human nature.  Capitalism is the only system that can withstand it them.  Socialism, communism, etc., feed these vices.

      replyreport
   2. 72

      manatita44posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      All systems are outer institutions. They can only spring from what we are within. The greedy man is lost or enslaved in his riches; the Saint is lost in a mystical experience within.

      replyreport
7. 92

   Nathanvilleposted 7 years ago

   Capitalism is an essential part of democracy.  However, in the European Union (including Britain) there is a strong belief that Capitalism should be tempered because left to its own devices (as demonstrated by the Iron Lady (Margaret Thatcher), the Conservative Prime Minister in the 1980s, when unleashed Capitalism on its own leads to greed by the rich and wealthy at the expense of the less well-off and the poor.
   
   That’s why (like all major political Socialist parties in the EU) I’m a democratic ‘Socialist’ e.g. a strong belief in democracy and also recognising the importance of Capitalism and the role it plays in society; but at the same time seeing the need to temper the greed and selfishness of big corporations and the wealthy so the ordinary working people (who do the work to produce the goods and services) are not down trodden and abused by greedy businessmen.
   
   A prime example of how this works in the EU is the EU's Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) which requires all 28 EU member countries to guarantee the following rights for all workers:
   
   • A limit to weekly working hours, which must not exceed 48 hours on average, including any overtime (in practice the average working week for most people in the EU is usually 35 hours to 37 hours).
   
   • A minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours in every 24.
   
   • A rest break during working hours if the worker is on duty for longer than 6 hours (in the UK it’s a minimum of 30 minutes after 5 hours, under British law which dates back to the late Victorian era).
   
   • A minimum weekly rest period of 24 uninterrupted hours for each 7-day period, in addition to the 11 hours' daily rest.
   
   • Paid annual leave of at least 4 weeks per year (in practice, in the EU most people get up to 6 weeks paid annual leave per year, plus public and bank holidays).
   
   • Extra protection for night work.
   
   And as from September 2015 the European Supreme Court (European Court of Justice) ruled that time taken to travel to and from work should count as work for the purpose of the EU’s Working Time Directive.  This ruling applies to workers who don’t have a fixed office e.g. gas fitters, electricians, social workers, plumbers, sales reps etc.

   replyreport
   1. 53

      icvposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Great. Thanks for sharing a series of factual points here.

      replyreport
8. 70

   Old-Empresarioposted 7 years ago

   The enemies of democracy are empire and ignorance. The former forcibly unites small national regions that have nothing in common and yet are forced to compromise on issues. The latter causes the people to be corrupted and vote against their own interests.

   replyreport
   1. 53

      icvposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for sharing your view

      replyreport