This essay is not intended to address each specific accusation, but will identify the erroneous, central premise behind these misgivings, and the implications of correcting it. The flawed premise held by almost all critics of capitalism, is the view that it is a zero-sum game. In other words, that any gain in a free market economy must have occured at someone else's expense. Ironically, this misconception plagues capitalism and not other economic systems, precisely because of capitalism's great success in wealth generation.

It is not hard to see why this is the case. Before the advent of capitalism, the vast majo

This contention is just as mistaken as the first, but it is also less obvious. However, once again, the root of the error lies in a flawed conception of reality. From this perspective, the existence of chance in determining economic outcomes is untenable. Inheritance of wealth for example is not earned, but due to the providence of having been born into a particular family. Yet, intelligence, various talents and aptitudes, physical attractiveness and even which country one is born in, are also due to chance.

Capitalism does not carve up this pie, it creates it. It does not redistribute people's "God given" slice, there is no "God given" slice. Of course, once this spurious argument is exposed, the critics have a substitute waiting in the wings. This one goes along the lines that capitalism may not distribute the pie unfairly, but that it doesn't provide everyone with the same opportunity to have a go at producing a slice of their own.

The economic freedom's of capitalism allowed the servile classes to escape their indentured slavery, and capitalise on the opportunities of the free market. Most of the great entrepreneurs of the Industrial Revolution were humble artisans and former peasants. However, for some, the new economic system was a threat. As miserable as a peasant's or slave's life was, he was assured of a small dole from his lord's granary. And despite a craftsman being locked into his trade for life, he at least knew he was protected from summary dismissal by the rule's of his master's Guild.

Thus, what is supposedly unfair about capitalism is that those who possess the talent, ingenuity, and dedication can escape poverty, whilst those who don't - can't. Unfortunately, the Garden of Eden does not exist, and man does have to think, create, and work to prosper. The critics of capitalism would rather that every man lived in wretched poverty, than for some to rise

Some topics in this essay:
Garden Eden, , Industrial Revolution, Adam Smith, free market, economic pie, respond opportunities, majority people, vast majority people, pie unfairly, economic freedom, zero-sum game, economic freedoms, market system, vast majority,