Capitalism.org is the website for the moral social system: laissez-faire capitalism.

 

1. What is capitalism?

Capitalism is a social system based on the principle of individual rights. The term capitalism is used here in the broader philosophical sense, and not in the narrower economic sense, i.e. a free-market.

Capitalism is not just an economic system (the free-market) that can be grafted onto any political structure. The economy of capitalism — the free market — depends on a specific legal (objective law), political (individual rights), and ethical (rational self-interest) foundation. It is these dependencies that make individuals free not only in their economic affairs but in their personal affairs as well.

All so-called hyphenated-capitalisms (‘state-capitalism,’ ‘anarcho-capitalism,’ ‘crony-capitalism,’ ‘democratic capitalism,’ ‘welfare capitalism,’ etc.) are not forms of capitalism but are mixtures of capitalist and non-capitalist elements. It is these non-capitalist, statist, elements that are responsible for the so-called “failures” of capitalism.

 

2. What is a capitalist?

An advocate of laissez-faire capitalism is known as a capitalist. For example, though Ayn Rand is regarded economically as a philosopher and novelist, politically she is regarded as a capitalist because of her advocacy of capitalism. Similarly, though Friedrich Engels came from a wealthy background, politically — as co-author of The Communist Manifesto — Engels is recognized as a socialist/communist because of his ideas.

The battle for capitalism is not just an argument over wealth; it is a philosophical one over the individual’s inalienable right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of their happiness.

 

3. What should I do first?

Visit the Capitalism Visual Tour first.

The tour is the most popular feature of this site.

The rest of The Capitalism Site assumes you are familiar with the material provided in the tour.