[ClumsyPilot]

Where do I find this capitalism, which country, i an packing my bags right now.

Is it China, since they are the ones that seem to flout patents all the time?

Why is it that the 'Capitalists' on here want to take all the credit, but when there is a problem it's got nothing to do with them?

[CatWChainsaw]

There's a reason they call them externalities. When you use fancy terminology for "not my problem", you gain legitimacy.

[alphanullmeric]

There is none, because there are no pure economies.

Is capitalism for or against government intervention?

[ClumsyPilot]

Can you define government intervention?

For example is it capitalist or socialist to have a national bank and currency? Should each private bank print their own currency?

When government provides employees protections against unfair dismissal we call that government intervention.

But we regularly prosecute and imprison employees for 'stealing intellectual property' at the taxpayer's expense, or enforse non-competes using the power of the state, and thats never called government intervention.

The way I see it, people who use term 'government intervention' are trying to have their cake and eat it.

If government should not intervene when Amazon pays no taxes and abuses its monopoly position, then it should also not expend taxpayer money to protect them from shoplifting.

[alphanullmeric]

It's intervention if it's done without consent. You're free to have a national bank, it's intervention if you force me to pay for it or use it.

If you and your employer agree to have a contract enforced by the government then enforcement of the contract is not government intervention (and you should be forced to pay for the cost of that contract, not the taxpayer). There is also no such thing as stealing intellectual property.

Shoplifting violates the 'force is only justified in response to force' principle, which arguably the government's only purpose is to prevent. Not paying income taxes or being a monopoly does not. Not wanting to give you something is not the same as taking something away from you, as much as you wish it was.

[ClumsyPilot]

> You're free to have a national bank, it's intervention if you force me to pay for it or use it.

I am not clear what you are saying.

Are you currently forced to use the US Dollar, and by extension national bank (the Fed) in the United States? Would you prefer to see every private bank create it's own currency?

Given that: "Under 18 U.S. § 486, it's a criminal offense to make or pass any metal coins "intended for use as current money, whether in the resemblance of coins of the United States or of foreign countries, or of original design."

> There is also no such thing as stealing intellectual property.

According to the FBI official website: "Preventing intellectual property theft is a priority of the FBI’s criminal investigative program. It specifically focuses on the theft of trade secrets and infringements on products that can impact consumers’ health and safety, such as counterfeit aircraft, car, and electronic parts."

[alphanullmeric]

At this point and seeing the way you argue, I’m not interested in debating about what I would prefer private banks to do. I simply stated that it’s intervention to force me to use some currency, and yes I am forced to use the USD. As is any business in the United States, which is legally required to accept it.

I don’t see the relevance of “it’s illegal” to anything in this conversation.

If I “take” something from you and you still have it, nothing has been stolen.