Pure democracy is collectivist mob-rule
What is the relation of Capitalism to democratic principles?
Capitalism limits the democracy -- the majority of the moment -- to
its only useful purpose: the electing of various individuals to various positions of
public office. Other then this limited aspect, the power of the majority is severely
limited. Capitalism in this sense only supports a limited
"democracy", but not a pure one.
Under capitalism no individual, nor any group of individuals, whether they be a minority
or a majority, can violate the inalienable rights of any other minority, including the
most oppressed minority that has ever existed -- the individual. In the sense, commonly used, that democracy means egalitarianism -- the equality
of results (wealth), by an unequal protection (violation) of rights -- capitalism is
entirely opposed to it.
What did the founding fathers of America have to say about democracy?
To quote The Federalist, on democracies: "it may be concluded
that a pure democracy...can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction...[as] there is
nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual.
Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention;
have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and
have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their
deaths."
Politically, in today's context, what is a capitalist system?
A capitalist system is a republic and not a [pure] democracy. It is a system of checks and
balances so ordered to protect the rights of the individual, from criminals and most
importantly from the democratically elected voices who claim to speak for the "public good." It is a limited
"democracy".
For those who are confused by the issue, the essential point is this: is it right for
another man to rape, rob and murder another? Capitalism says never; democracy says yes -- if the majority
wills it. |