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I think you've got a weird definition of capitalism. Capitalism is not, nor has ever been, characterized by the free exchange of goods and services, any more th
by pasabagi 7y ago
I think you've got a weird definition of capitalism. Capitalism is not, nor has ever been, characterized by the free exchange of goods and services, any more than feudalism, or even communism, is. It's characterized by the political, social, and economic power of Capital, as opposed to other social bodies (say, the church).
I also don't really understand what a market is without a state, either theoretically, or practically. You need some independent guarantor of property rights to have property - since property itself is not a fact of nature, but rather a result of laws and rights. Practically, all states are by necessity involved in every legal transaction, either as a neutral arbiter in disputes, or as an active participant.
- hyperman1 7y agoCaveman Ug can own a fire: When Zog tries to take it, Ug kicks him in the nadgers. In fact, Ug and Zog could be spiders. Property is based on potential violence. States are just organisations dispensing it on a controlled basis.
- pasabagi 7y agoEh, Ug could just kick Zog in the nadgers for any arbitrary reason. Norms are necessary to separate legitimate from illegitimate kickings, and a state is necessary to enforce them. Using your argument, you could say that 'not looking at people funny' is a natural law, because I once got beaten up in a bus station in the midlands for it.
- hyperman1 7y agoNot looking at people funny could be a natural law if enough UGs don't like it. (In fact, I believe medieval Japan actually had something like this). The only thing Zog can do is co-operate with friends, multiplying Zog's force. And what's a state more than an organized cooperation between its people.