America has a capitalism economic system, but it’s hybrid capitalism just like it is a hybrid Republic. Nothing in the constitution ensures capitalism, rather the current economic system simply falls under the definition of captilisim: “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.”
America Has a Capitalist Economic System fact
Does America Have a Capitalist Economic System?
America’s economic system meets the definition of capitalism, but not pure free market capitalism. America has a mixed-market economy. This means it is a hybrid of corporate, state, social, free-market, crony, neoliberal, neocon, mercantile, etc. capitalism. In historical terms, America is more Keynes (social liberal mixed-market) than Smith (classical liberal-libertarian free-market).
Although the underlying theme is most certainly one of capitalism, America’s economic system as a whole is no more free market than Walmart’s relationship with subsidization (see the corporatocracy argument). That said, the specifics of to what degree the US is capitlist or mixed market differ by industry, the current set of laws, the current government, and more.
So, in the same way, America is a hybrid Republic, America also employs a hybrid form of capitalism.
After the Reagan years, you might believe that America employs free-market capitalism, but this is incorrect (Reagan said free-market, but he was a protectionist who favored tariffs, deregulation, and less income taxes; a classically Republican position).
The proper term for America and most other Western Democracies is “a mixed-market economic system,” a form which draws from all the different types of capitalism. It is a form that typically employs theories by those like Smith and Keynes, but rarely overtly Marx.
Economic Schools of Thought: Crash Course Economics #14.What Makes America’s Economy Capitalist?
America’s economic system is capitalist because it is based on the private ownership of the means of production, and their operation for profit. It is a hybrid form of this because it embraces regulations, taxation, and subsidization to varying degrees and for varying interests.
Any sub-system of the American economy can be discussed using a wide-array of economics terms related to capitalism types, and while this paints a clear picture, it goes beyond the scope of this page.[1] (You can see one take on the types of Capitalism here).
With the above said, the basic concept, that America has a capitalist economic system, becomes obvious when you read the definitions of capitalism and socialism.
- Capitalism: An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. The focus is on maximizing profits (even at the expense of the availability of goods and services).
- Socialism: A social system or theory in which the government owns, controls, and/or regulates the means of production (as factories) and distribution of goods. The focus is on maximizing the production and distribution of goods and services deemed necessary (even at the expense of profits).
NOTE: Just because capitalism focuses on profits and socialism focuses on production doesn’t mean the result of capitalism is more production and of socialism less production. In fact, as I’m sure you can imagine, there is an argument that the output of capitalism is often favorable.
Capitalism and Socialism: Crash Course World History #33.TIP: Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets. In a capitalist market economy, decision-making and investment are determined by the owners of the factors of production in financial and capital markets, and the market combines with competition to determine prices and the distribution of goods. Learn more about Capitalism.[2]
America employs a quasi-capitalist economic system. Not by a constitution, but in practice.
Article Citations
- “Types of Capitalism” Economicshelp.org
- “Capitalism” Wikipedia.org
Conclusion
Author: Thomas DeMichele
Thomas DeMichele is the content creator behind ObamaCareFacts.com, FactMyth.com, CryptocurrencyFacts.com, and other DogMediaSolutions.com and Massive Dog properties. He also contributes to MakerDAO and other cryptocurrency-based projects. Tom's focus in all...
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Saint Economous Doesn't beleive this myth.
American style socialism would not ever advocate against private ownership of sources and assets of production. American style socialism would, on the contrary, seek to “provide for the general welfare of its’ citizens” when private markets fail to do so though price gouging, limited or no competitive practices or unfair labor practices. Capitalism and socialism can co-exist and provide the best of both worlds. Perhaps we need to add to the definition of capitalism: If one needs to borrow money, he, or she, is not a capitalist! If one has to work for a living: he, or she, is not a capitalist!
Donut Doesn't beleive this myth.
Changing the term capitalism is what they already have done. The bankers suffocated capitalism and blamed all our ailments on it as they manipulated every aspect of the markets and system to its benefit.
Michael Did not vote.
I think you need to do a better job explaining that capitalism is focused on maximizing profit for shareholders. Long before capitalism we had ” trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit” The stock market and share holders are a focal point of capitalism.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
I added a bit, but I don’t want to detract from the point of the article. It isn’t an expose on capitalism, it is an argument that the US has a mixed-market economy (it is not capitalist or socialist, but quasi capitalist and socialist).
Donut Did not vote.
None of this is capitalism though. Wall st isnt even capitalist. The manipulation of markets by those who print the money, and their subsequent control of govt that further manipulates the markets, creates an anti capitalist environment. Capitalism needed a very small limited and powerless govt. but we failed to abide by the warning we were given about the banks and large govt. all aspects of the system are controlled, manipulated and influenced. Quite the opposite of cap. Although the term has been simplified to claim its just the means of prod are privately
held.
lol no Did not vote.
I think it is a fact.