Free enterprise is the backbone of the USA. It’s responsible for our remarkable consumer marketplace and military dominance of the world today. Any arguments?
In our early days, say pre-Civil War, any free 21 yo white man was free to pick up stakes, move West and, with some assistance from the US Military, steal some land from our indigenous brothers. Then with enterprise, hard work and a little luck, he/she might establish himself in a flourishing business. Farmer, bar owner, madam, blacksmith, mercantile magnate, etc. Preachers and teachers and natural-born Sheriffs also had a place.
Now, that’s free enterprise. Businesses competitively supplying the needs of local consumers and local education and law and order somewhat in place. The thing that differentiates free enterprise from other business structures is that a free enterprise enterprise is founded on actual need on and grows as that need grows. Any arguments?
Now, along with our free-enterprise Horatio Algers came Capital. Railroads, mining interests and other huge real estate “owners” (again courtesy of the US Military) took formal possession of the country and have been making free enterprises pay for Capitalism’s social and environmental depredations ever since.
Oh, yes. What’s the difference between a Capitalist and a Free enterprise? It lies in their respective views of the Free Market.
Free enterprise grows peacefully to meet growing market needs. Internal negotiations for local development are (mostly) in the open. You are likely a friend of a friend of the mayor. And if some newcomer wants to start a pig farm, you can make him settle downwind of your home. But you gotta love dem ribs. Basic Socialism.
Capitalist enterprise requires:
*An ever-growing consumer market. If no need exists, create it and exact the middle-man fee on a global scale. Nice work, if you get it.
*An ever-increasing money supply. Print money and float consumer loans. 10c return on the dollar until everyone’s bankrupt ain’t bad.
*De-socialization. Every man for himself. Your own car, etc. You get “news” and best prices from Our Media. You distrust your neighbor and think his plight is different from yours. You blame everyone but yourself for the injustice in the world.
To sum my argument, kind Sirs, that’s the difference (see OP).