3 ms·

The freest countries are the most prosperous - this is the evidence: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/freest-countries https://worldpopulation

The freest countries are the most prosperous - this is the evidence: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/freest-countries https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/freest-co... Note that Hong Kong used to be at the top of this list prior to 1997 when China started taking away their freedom.

nathan_compton 3y ago
Note that this index is freest but not the most capitalist, which you seem to be conflating.
- gibsonf1 3y ago
  I use the definition: "Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned." So no conflation.
  - nathan_compton 3y ago
    Weird definition of capitalism. Tons of systems respect property rights and individual freedoms. And, in fact, none of these states operate under the condition where all property is privately owned. Where they fall on those measures doesn't correlate with the weal of the people either, at least not the way you are implying.
    - gibsonf1 3y ago
      Which tons of systems? The US currently does not qualify as capitalist by that definition, we currently have a statist system with an unelected 4th branch of government, etc. Ref to definition: http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/capitalism.html http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/capitalism.html
      - rs999gti 3y ago
        > unelected 4th branch of government The legislature is worthless and is more concerned with getting re-elected and getting rich in office, than doing actual legislation. The supreme court legislating from the bench is result of a lame duck congress and senate.
gizajob 3y ago
Singapore is pretty rich while not being particularly high on that list...
- gfdsgfsdgfs 3y ago
  Singapore is highly capitalist.
aylmao 3y ago
Is this causation or correlation? Those "free countries" seem to correlate pretty closely with colonial powers. Scarcity necessitates tighter control. "Freedom" is easier to guarantee in prosperity. Also, at a global scale, if you're a rich country, it sounds like you'd want to spread a system that benefits those who have capital.

nathan_compton 3y ago

Note that this index is freest but not the most capitalist, which you seem to be conflating.

gibsonf1 3y ago
I use the definition: "Capitalism is a social system based on the recognition of individual rights, including property rights, in which all property is privately owned." So no conflation.
- nathan_compton 3y ago
  Weird definition of capitalism. Tons of systems respect property rights and individual freedoms. And, in fact, none of these states operate under the condition where all property is privately owned. Where they fall on those measures doesn't correlate with the weal of the people either, at least not the way you are implying.
  - gibsonf1 3y ago
    Which tons of systems? The US currently does not qualify as capitalist by that definition, we currently have a statist system with an unelected 4th branch of government, etc. Ref to definition: http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/capitalism.html http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/capitalism.html
    - rs999gti 3y ago
      > unelected 4th branch of government The legislature is worthless and is more concerned with getting re-elected and getting rich in office, than doing actual legislation. The supreme court legislating from the bench is result of a lame duck congress and senate.

gizajob 3y ago

Singapore is pretty rich while not being particularly high on that list...

gfdsgfsdgfs 3y ago
Singapore is highly capitalist.

aylmao 3y ago

Is this causation or correlation? Those "free countries" seem to correlate pretty closely with colonial powers. Scarcity necessitates tighter control. "Freedom" is easier to guarantee in prosperity. Also, at a global scale, if you're a rich country, it sounds like you'd want to spread a system that benefits those who have capital.