Wednesday, 22 September 2010

CAPITALISM? FINE BUT LET'S SECURE THE REINS BEFORE WE LET IT GALLOP OFF

What an absurd comment from the Director General of the CBI, who said of Vince's criticism of corporate behaviour that he looked forward to hearing Vince's proposals for an alternative to capitalism.

Well, listen up, Mr Lambert, (he always reads my blog, natch...) because capitalism has always been moderated by a healthy dose of common sense ever since companies started riding roughshod over the interests of individuals and communities. Indeed, that is the mark of a civilised society developed over centuries and while few of us would question the value of free markets, equally few of us outside a Mercedes or a hideous mock-Georgian pile in Surrey would demur from the obvious notion that some degree of moderation is needed in any system.

Capitalism is great but so is civilisation and a fair society, equality, international law and the right to privacy - so viciously attacked in this country almost daily by the champions of capitalism in the press. It rather puts you in mind of the old saw about democracy - that it is the worst system of government, apart from all the others.

Grow up and get a sense of historical perspective. Robert Peston has.

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