Extremes of Socialism (USSR) or Capitalism (USA) rarely last for more than 3 generations. USSR went down first and the US is now on the 3rd gen, nigh last, of it's extreme version of Capitalism. A blend of the two, Socialist Capitalism, may be a stable form that is yet to be tried in earnest however it is being dabbled with in China.
Fundamentally, capitalism is curbed by maximum earning limits for companies or individuals, thereby trying to avoid the pure capitalism motto of 'greed (at the expense of everyone else) is good' whilst simultaneously avoiding the socialist syndrome of 'living of other peoples money'.
Thoughts?
I tend to agree. If Capitalism was about making life better, then why isn't Saudi Arabia the center of invention, innovation, and progressive industries?
Because, what you guys call capitalism, is not capitalism. The US is not capitalism since the creation of income tax, the FED, the anti-trust laws, the 60's war on poverty welfare programs, etc. And Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, where the ruler can just seize you if he wants.
Capitalism based on voluntary exchange of goods and services at the market produced by men in competition free of coercion, with private property and personal liberty at the absolute basic right.
Show me how can people in the US choose not to use state provided services, and in turn not to pay taxes, like a voluntary trade with companies, and i say you have capitalism in the US.
Show me a real private business forces you to buy its product. If it can than it is not a private business in capitalist terms.