So the BBC has conducted a poll and has concluded that Free Market Capitalism is not a good idea.
“Free Market Flawed, Says Survey” is the title of the article. It’s a “Special Report.” Apparently the BBC is wondering, now during the anniversary of the 1989 collapse of the Eastern European socialist governments, why people are unhappy to be living in countries that are controlled by a grotesque fusion of criminal organizations and former secret police.
I haven’t read any of the ruminations of the world’s liberal pundits yet, but I will venture a guess as to what a whole lot of them will say when posed with a question like, “Why did Eastern Europe not transform into a delightful suburban paradise with the advent of capitalism?” Usually what the mainstream columnists do is what every other apologist does: they blame the victim, or the people of Eastern Europe themselves. “They weren’t ready for capitalism” is the usual refrain, as if any of us were prepared for a society that comes up with a brilliant idea like burying pollution in order to the help the environment.
But the important point is: if everyone agrees that “the free market is flawed”, then why are we allowing its proponents to continue to run the planet? They’ve proven they will make nothing except misery and disaster, so are we allowing them to remain in power?
* The above photo is by the excellent James Natchwey, taken during the war in Chechnya, which was waged by the post-1989 democratically elected, free-market government of Russia. I’m sure glad they got rid of communism over there. Things really appear to have improved.
