Capitalism? Socialism? Feudalism? Agrarianism? Some other that never existed?
Off the top of my head? Some form of socialism. I like the idea of independently owned small/medium businesses propelling the bulk of an economy, but I don't like the idea of babies dying because their parents couldn't afford a decent doctor.
I think the mixed system we have now (and we would be an average of UK, Europe, Canada, US, Aus) with some tweaks, some major tweaks maybe.
If we get to the Star Trek Next Gen situation where we are no longer motivated by private gain, that'd be nice, not holding my breath though.
Asmodeanism. All the moneys belongs to The Asmo and he can give it to who and what he wants. ;D
(I'm not too good with coin, really... Whatever system we have here is good enough, I think, but I don't know if it's good enough for other places too)
Capitalism seems to be the most successful model so far. Although there has yet to be a viable solution to the problem of top heavy wealth distribution in capitalist societies. Regulation seems to help but when sufficient levels of wealth are reached legislation is too influenced by those economic resources to be effective. In any case economic systems only work and exist as long as we hold belief in the value of currency. Which in effect is intrinsically worthless. It won't matter anyway, after the zombie apocalypse the only real currency will be guns, fuel and food.
Capitalism, moderated by sufficient regulation to insure fairplay and preserve human rights and social well-being, and by taxation to provide sufficient public funds to allow government to function, perform essential services, and care for those in need.
Capitalism is the answer that leads to freedom.
As long as a capitalist government provides opportunity for all and ensures our basic needs are catered for then the rest is up to the individual.
So, government must provide free education, this allows anyone, even the poor to have the opportunity to get a decent paying job.
government needs to provide free healthcare up to a point. To turn away a person in a life threatening situation is unacceptable.
government must provide the poor with the means to survive, this means food and shelter.
The government is not the best organisation to decide what work people should do, what products should be made. Free market forces are more than capable in this matter. People need incentives to take risks and start up businesses. Businesses create jobs.
Some of the issues experienced within capitalist countries are more around people's self desire/motivation, confidence and family atmosphere.
If people have equal opportunity then why do poor people remain poor?
Possibly because they have learned behaviour from their parents, they may have a sense of hopelessness, they may be overwhelmed by the need to support defendant children, they may get themselves into trouble with gambling, alcohol, credit card, hire purchase etc.
It is common to read stories where a poor person wins lotto, or makes a fortune in sport, but within a very short period of time finds themselves poor again.
They are not equipt with the skills to maintain wealth, they give money away, they spend it on rubbish, they waste rather than save.
There certainly is a great deal of self accountability in a society which provides opportunity.
I do think however that schools should teach basic finances and parenting skills.
The answer (I think) is to look internal to the self, family and friends rather than to blame government.
The realist in me prefers Laissez-Faire capitalism. Unfortunately, my lazier self would of course prefer to be fed at the teat of the Vaterland. Meh.
so long as I have the right to think, act and speak freely, and don't have to spend every waking moment toiling at work, I'm not too fussed. Whichever system brings the greatest benefit to the most people.
Socialism the most to be honest.
It seems like the most sensible and equal towards the society.
A mixture of socialism and capitalism supporting each other. Here's a few things I would change:
I disagree with how welfare is run in the UK as it helps create a social class that are dependent upon the state. Welfare should be given to those that are unable to work, those out of work should have to give back to the community in some form or another as it is the working community that are helping them live.
The very rich should be taxed heavily but able to get exemptions if they use a percentage of their money to invest into social projects that help society at large that is independent from the government, not for profit, and uses companies that are not affiliated with them in any way and are based in that country. For example if those that earned over a million a year invested 5% into these schemes they would then only have to pay 40% tax rather than 50%, this way they make a saving of 5% whilst also creating something rather than just accumulating.
There also needs to be competition from within the public sector that compete with each other to keep the public sector in shape and run as a business.
Companies and individuals that engage in political corruption, take advantage of the poor for their own financial gain, or banks engaging in high risk practices should be accountable to jail sentences comparable with that of first degree murder as the effects of these practices can have much more impact than the death of an individual can.
If unions are to exist they need to change their role, it should be about skilled tradesmen and women that are capable at their job, the unions should become involved in the training of various professions to ensure the members have the necessary skills to do the job. If the members have been doing insufficient work the unions should help re-train them or help find a new industry for the individual to work within that is more suitable. They should also be unable to engage within politics to the degree they have in the past, same goes for corporations.
I would favour a green, ecological, social capitalism system. It is based on fair trade, respect for the environment and a flat tax system. Anything that harms the environment will be heavily taxed; all subsidies will be eliminated and health care will be free. The role of the government will be reduced to the absolute minimum and lobbyism will be forbidden by law.