I've stated in the past that if democratic capitalism and liberty will be defended it will find it in an unlikely region: Eastern Europe. A place that knows a thing or two about what it was like to live under a repressed communist regime.
One of most vocal leaders in defense of freedom, capitalism and democracy is the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus.
He warns the push to build Green economies will translate into economic stagnation.
Of course, as put in a letter to the editor, according to the supporters of green policies "he doesn't get it."
While you are right, Central and Eastern Europe (yes, use the proper terminology, not that stale, artificial Cold War ero division) are indeed pro-capitalist and free market, and indeed, this stems from 50 years of being under the yolk of socialist planned economies. But, by the same token, those living in those regions have little understanding of the drawbacks of capitalist (i.e. "free" markets). The grass is always greener on the other side it seems. Americans and Western Europeans want socialism, while C/E Europeans want capitalism..
ReplyDeleteBob the Chef
Very good point Bob the Chef. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt may well be some of that may be in play.
A comment that I have often heard from Central and East European people is the following: "Under communisme the government took care of us, Now we have to take care of ourselves and to take responsibility for our decisions. And now we have poors." Nothing is perfect. Both systems have their flaws and one must be tempered by a dose of the other. Our Canadian system is a good compromuse and let's keep it. Compromise is soooo Canadian
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