Capitalism and the Trader Principle

A Ben Shapiro Quote about Capitalism:

“Socialism states that you owe me something simply because I exist. Capitalism, by contrast, results in a sort of reality-forced altruism: I may not want to help you, I may dislike you, but if I don’t give you a product or service you want, I will starve. Voluntary exchange is more moral than forced redistribution.”

My Take on Ben Shapiro’s Defense of Capitalism:

Usually, I’m not a big Ben Shapiro fan. I think his harsh criticism and “wreck the libs” attitude can be funny, but is more often than not just tiresome. However, Ben Shapiro does have an excellent command of the facts for any given issue, which can make his positions quite profound from time to time. That much should be quite clear to anyone who has listened to him.

I think that Ben Shapiro’s command of the facts shines through quite well in this defense of capitalism. Like many other outspoken capitalists (including myself), Ben Shapiro recognizes that consent is the virtue of capitalism.

Capitalism and the Trader Principle:

Shapiro reaches almost the same conclusion in this quote that Ayn Rand had when she developed her “trader principle.” That “trader principle” is perhaps best shown in the John Galt justice quote from Atlas Shrugged that I recently analyzed.

Basically, the trader principle is that capitalism is just and virtuous because it relies on consent and free exchange. Based on this Ben Shapiro capitalism quote, I would say that he and his supporters agree with John Galt and Ayn Rand. Capitalism is just because it is consensual.

Socialism, however, is the exact opposite. Instead of being based on consent and free exchange, socialism is essentially a system of slavery. In it, all those who are able have a responsibility to provide for those who are unable or lazy. You’re forced to help those people under socialism. With the consent aspect of capitalism as defined in this Ben Shapiro capitalism quote, you’re free to do so, but under no obligation.

As a result, socialism always fails. And, as Winston Churchill says in his capitalism and socialism quote, socialism leads only to misery. Sure, people share everything, but they’re miserable.

Socialism isn’t Voluntary and is un-American:

Socialism sucks. It’s an awful system that many of its supporters don’t even seem to understand. Yet, as this Ben Shapiro capitalism quote so excellently shows, they think you owe them money just because they exist. Because you work, you’re responsible for feeding, clothing, and providing for them.

That mindset is ridiculous and un-American. Our forefathers valued entrepreneurial spirits, hard work, and lifting up oneself, not welfare.

I discussed that early American capitalist spirit in both my review of The History of the United States during the Administrations of Thomas Jefferson and my review of the best book about the Gilded Age, The Republic for which It Stands. Both are excellent books that show how different early Americans were compared to modern American socialists.

Early Americans during both the post-Revolution period and Gilded Age period were willing to do whatever it took to provide for their families. They didn’t ask for charity, especially not redistribution of wealth from the state. Modern Americans are unfortunately far weaker and less hard working.

We need to start expressing and defending opinions like the one expressed in this Ben Shapiro Capitalism quote more often. Capitalism is American. Socialism isn’t. Capitalism is a voluntary, just system. Socialism isn’t. Capitalism leads to economic growth. Socialism doesn’t.

Socialism and “Forced Redistribution” Leads to Tyrants:

Finally, I think one of the most important parts of this quote is when Shapiro mentions socialists’ affinity for “forced redistribution.” “Forced redistribution” is why socialism kills; communists and socialists have used redistribution of wealth and food as a way to slaughter their citizens for decades. In doing so, they’re showing that they’re epitomizing the opposite of the capitalist idea of consent as described in this Ben Shapiro capitalism quote.

Furthermore, that redistribution is forced at the barrel of a gun. It is one of the reasons why socialists love gun control; it gives them an unarmed populace to terrorize. Armed societies are just and polite societies. Unarmed societies are sitting ducks for foreign aggressors and tyrants.

Need an example of that? Look at Venezuela today, where government thugs use armored cars to run over unarmed protesters. And how the Venezuelan government “redistributes” wealth and food to punish its detractors and feed its supporters.

Because socialism is a system that relies on force, rather than consent, those examples are unfortunately the rule rather than the exception when it comes to socialism. It is a system of tyrants, big and small, that rely on the whip rather than the dollar, as Francisco D’Anconia describes in his money speech.

Conclusion:

Capitalism is a great system. As noted in this Ben Shapiro capitalism quote, it is based on consent, so it is just and virtuous. Socialism, however, is not. Socialism is an ideology of envy that leads only to misery.

Take the lesson from this Ben Shapiro capitalism quote and support capitalism, not socialism. Everyone will be better off if you do.

By: Gen Z Conservative