Center for North-American studies University of Economics, Bratislava September 30, 2010
Apr 01, 2015
Center for North-American studiesUniversity of Economics, Bratislava
September 30, 2010
Introduction What is Capitalism? Capitalist Principles Myths about Capitalism Economic Crises / Crises of Capitalism
Future of Capitalism?
Private Property Freedom of Contract Rule of Law Use of Reason Personal Liberty
Voluntary exchange of Goods: Free Trade Democracy
Protect Man’s Rights
Put this Retaliatory Force under Objective Control
Freedom Equality Individualism Democracy Personal Property Laissez-Faire
Rule of Law◦ Transaction costs ◦ Lower Number of Business Deals◦ Expenses to Verify your Business Partners
Independent Judiciary◦ High degree of Trust in Legal System
Common Law vs. Civil Law (Just vs. Legal)◦ Common Law (Singapore, Australia, GBR)
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act◦ Influences also business environment in the U.S.
European Emigrants to the US Hard Working Entrepreneurial (BANKRUPTCIES) Rule of Law Can Do/Optimism Mentality American Dream Protestantism vs. Catholicism Religion (U.S. 94%, Italy 88%, France 56%,
Germany 50%)
Conservatives (C) vs. Liberals (L) debate:
Capitalism works with values (C) Winners must take care of Losers (L) Forced help hurts everybody (C) Redistribution and Regulation (L) Redistribution discourages winners from
producing and losers from trying (C)
Public Opinions (2002-2004)
Welfare State vs. Freedom of Individual◦ U.S. 34/58, GER 57/39, FRA 62/36, IT 71/24
Success in Life: External Forces vs. Individual◦ U.S 32/65, GER 68/31, IT 66/31, FRA 54/44
Economic Competition is Positive ◦ U.S. 58, Germany 49, Italy 42, France 36
Very Satisfied with Their Lives (2002-2003,%)◦ U.S. 57, Italy 16, France 14, Germany 18
Life has improved in the last 5 years◦ U.S. 49, Italy 42, France 35, Germany 22
Life will improve in the last 5 years◦ U.S. 64, Italy 53, France 41, Germany 20
Value of Free Time◦ Europe vs. America◦ Protestantism (Work is Blessing and Source of
Happiness given by God)◦ Opportunity to get rich in the U.S. is higher
Children should Learn Hard Work◦ U.S. 60, France 50, Italy 36, Germany 22
R&D Expenditures (GDP%)◦ U.S. 2.67, France 2.2%, Germany 2.51%, Italy
1.07%
Growth in Production high-tech goods (2003)◦ U.S. +419, France +242, Germany +52, Italy +69◦ Data in %
Employment◦ U.S. (1970-2003) +58.9 million◦ France, Germany, Italy + 17.6 million
Real GDP per Capita (PPP, 2002)◦ U.S. 34,000 USD◦ France 24,000 USD◦ Italy 25,000 USD
Labor Productivity◦ U.S. (1996–2003) +3.09%◦ Germany (1996-2003) +1.6%
American Capitalism is Very Positive (%)◦ Italy 39 / 43◦ Germany 32 / 58◦ France 23 / 73◦ Slovakia 52 / 40◦ Ukraine 58 / 23◦ Uzbekistan 76 / 11◦ Former Communist Countries more Positive
2010 Index of Economic Freedom◦ 1. Hong Kong, 2. Singapore, 3. Australia, 8. U.S.,
23. Germany, 64. France, 74. Italy
Economic Freedom of the World 2008◦ 1. Hong Kong, 2. Singapore, 3. new Zealand, 6.
U.S., 24. Germany, 35. France, 66. Italy
World Bank Doing Business 2010◦ 1.Singapore, 2.New Zealand 3. Hong Kong 4. U.S.
25. Germany, 31. France, 78. Italy
China Model - Free Market with Government Intervention Prevented Crises
Government Complete Control of Investments and Currency (Short Term Victory)
Corruption Imbalances in Economy Jimmy Lai: “System in China is Long-Term
Unsustainable and will Collapse”
Selfish – but results in cooperation Greedy – but increased standard of living Nationalistic – but U.S. multiethnic society Cruel – but gives hope
Source: ◦ Ayn Rand: Capitalism-The Unknown Ideal
Role of Government Moral Consequences of Economic Growth
◦ Prosperity, Happiness, Rule of Law◦ Winners and Losers
Capitalism is Amoral
“NO SYSTEM CAN SURVIVE / FUNCTION WITHOUT MORAL/ETHICAL VALUES”
2 different types of Legal Systems? Country with most positive American
Capitalism opinions? What is ranking of U.S. according to Doing
Business 2010?
Thank you for your Attention!
Ondrej [email protected]