While not dismissing the above, which I find fasinating, I would like to present another perspective.

Governmental Types:

Anarchy: Rule by no one
Democracy: Rule by the majority
Dictatorship: Rule by one man
Oligarchy: Rule by a few, or the minority
Republic: Rule by law
Theocracy: Rule by God


Capital Good: Goods utilized for producing or acquiring consumption goods.

Consumption Good: Goods acquired for consumption purposes.

Capitalism: Any economic system that utilizes capital goods in acquiring or producing consumption goods.


Economic Systems:

[tab:68d287cb55] Free Enterprise System: Where the capital goods are owned and controlled by the individual.

[tab:68d287cb55] Fascism: Where the capital goods are owned by the individual and controlled by the state.

[tab:68d287cb55] Socialism: Where the capital goods are owned and controlled by the state.

[tab:68d287cb55] Communism: Where the capital goods are owned and controlled by coercive monopolies.


Conservatives come in different "flavors" if you will. Some are limited government type, some are big government type, some are social and some are fiscal. There are combinations also.
Libertarians are the biggest Free Market defenders and very liberal on social issues. They can vary also.
Liberals / Progressives / Socialists believe the government is the answer.

Modern day capitalists lobby congress to keep a level playing field and don't like competiion.

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As president Wilson use to say, "Nothing is more fun than having a brain and knowing how to use it".