“Capitalism is a necessary condition for freedom but not a Sufficient Condition “ says Milton Friedman. What is the Difference Between Capitalism, Communism, and Socialism?

August 2, 2016

Government Mountain, Original Intent of America

LISTEN NOW! As nations watch the country of Venezuela endure complete economic crisis, we see the clear effects of turning to government instead of God. Just because a Socialist government offers the pleasurable utopia of providing all of our needs and wants does not necessarily mean that is what the end result will be. Ultimately, Socialism and Communism are temptations for the human nature of men. Now, as Americans, do we see this reality as a possibility in our own lives or do we separate ourselves from its authenticity? Regardless of what the present economy may be like now, imagine the economy crashing. Imagine the dollar not being worth near what it is today. The tragic realities of the Weimar Republic, and now Venezuela, are real for every currency and economy that drastically loses its value.

In America, we can often take for granted the effects of Capitalism, yet at the same time confuse the recognition of Capitalism. In a 1978 discussion at Cornell University, Milton Friedman shares some important factors regarding Capitalism. “Capitalism is not a sufficient condition for freedom. It’s a necessary condition. I never said where you have capitalism, you have freedom…Where ever you have freedom, you have capitalism. Capitalism is a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition.” Just as in the words of the Preamble of the United States Constitution, “A More Perfect Union…” Neither is a perfect solution to all problems. There is no perfect solution. Men still have a sin nature. God will turn us over to our sin nature if we do not repent.

When someone promotes big government and the government providing all of your needs, that is essentially looking to position government in place of God. It is a red flag when we hear the constant promotion of equality for every organization and/or individual when the Constitution already declares that. Friedman also spoke about this important matter. “A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.” Essentially, when we forget the value and cost of these freedoms, we tend to then allow them to slip away.

Author of The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman commented about this interesting reality. ‘Every 5^th generation loses what the 1^st generation gained’. This is essentially what Milton Friedman expresses in these words,

“Those of us who have been so fortunate as to have been born in a free society tend to take freedom for granted and regard it as a natural state of mankind. It is not. It is a rare and precious thing: most people throughout history – most people today – have lived in conditions of tyranny and misery; not of freedom and prosperity.”

We have to begin to understand these principles. Communism and Socialism are not Capitalism and Capitalism is not Communism nor is it Socialism. There used to be a day when the differences of these were taught in our schools, but that day is not present day. This amazing experiment called freedom may be over unless we wake up. Sometimes it takes a cartoonto understand how different people see America. In less than 10 minutes, we can understand that just because an “ISM” offers us what appears to be what we want, whether it be “higher wages”, “lower labor costs”, or “the perfect weather to grow our crops” it will not end up good if it ends up costing us our freedoms.

In these critical days, we need God’s wisdom to be decisive and informed on what to do. Hear the full conversation to learn the important differences between Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: economics, Chavez, President Obama, currency, Ichabod, Woodrow Wilson, Saddam Hussein, Coup, Deviled Eggs, tyranny, and prayer. Greg and Steve shared in this segment.

screen capture from youtube.com/brittle13

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