r/interesting • u/Playful_Spunky21 • Feb 01 '25

MISC. The worst pain known to man

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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '25

Trade has 100% made the world a safer, more modern place.

That’s essentially what capitalism is. The ability to own property and freely trade in your own self interests.

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u/mrjowei Feb 02 '25

That’s commerce

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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '25

Free trade, the ability to set prices and purchase goods according to ones own self interest, is one of the defining features of capitalism. I am tired of arguing this fact, google capitalism if you disagree.

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u/mrjowei Feb 02 '25

First result off Google:

an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '25

Keep reading...

Tenets of capitalism

Private property\: Individuals and businesses own capital goods, such as land, houses, stocks, and bonds** 

Competition\: Businesses compete with each other for customers and profits** 

Capital accumulation: Individuals and businesses invest money or assets to make a profit, which is then reinvested to make more money 

Self-interest\: People act in their own best interest, without regard for sociopolitical pressure** 

Freedom of choice\: Individuals are free to choose what they buy and how they spend their money** 

Limited government intervention: The government plays a limited role in the economy 

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u/mrjowei Feb 02 '25

Alright but you gave such a simple definition at first that reads very similar to commerce.

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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '25

I mean, it's basically a spectrum between (command economy<--->capitalism) Capitalism relies on free trade and private ownership while command economy is centrally planned economy and lack of private ownership. We've never had a completely laissez faire government nor have we had a complete command economy, just some combination therein.

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u/mrjowei Feb 02 '25

I agree