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Do most people differentiate between forms of government and economic systems? How does what they think impact what they do?
Communism, socialism, fascism, capitalism and a few more variations of one or more of these, are all economic systems. Democracy, dictatorship, republic, and anarchy, also with variations and degrees, are forms of government. Any economic system can be put in place by a democratic government, or imposed by a dictatorship.
Do you think most people understand this or do they confuse economic systems and forms of government? In other words do most think communism only comes with dictatorship, capitalism only with democracy?
To the extent they are confused, how does this impact what they do both politically and economically?
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Bill Matthies
Do most people differentiate between forms of government and economic systems? And regardless how does what they think impact what they do?
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Bill Matthies
I believe most people in the US, often including me, vote for icons of what they hope will be true, with little to no idea concerning the policies that will likely come from who they vote for. And if so it's hard to fault them for that. Our campaigns are long on image, short on substance.
So do I think most know the difference between forms of government and economic systems? Since "most" would be 51% I'll say yes at least when they are forced to think about it.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Bill Matthies
I agree that people often do mistakenly use the wrong label. Growing up in the US during the 50's, for many "communism" was a synonym for "dictatorship". I now see there's no reason an electorate could not willingly elect politicians they know will institute a communist economic system. Not likely I suppose but it is possible.
Robert Winner 50+
We become aware of economics of a country when they possess what we need or want. The most obvious is oil. We under stand that many products are made in China .. but we only are aware of that because of ipods all have made in China on the back.
The sad truth is that we do not educate students in economics either macro or micro. Until Pat brought the subject of QE3 to the TED table how many of us had heard of it. If you asked the man on the street about the fisical cliff you would get a lot of answers from aware to never heard of it. How many would answer any questions on balance of trade or the Fed.
More people vote for the American Idol than for president ... top stories on the news are about the latest stupidity of actors .... stories about serious impactors like the economy are dumbed down for the viewers.
Schools should incorporate poli Si, economics, and stats into a course and show the relationship to history. I am pretty sure that until that occurs most will be given the mushroom treatment ... kept in the dark and fed crap.
Is that closer to what you were looking for.
All the best. Bob.
Bill Matthies
That reminds me of the man on the street interviews you occasionally see where otherwise seemingly intelligent people are asked basic questions like who is the VP, who are their senators, what is the difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate, etc. Unless they use very selective editing showing only those who get it wrong, way too many people don't know, which is very sad given all that is at stake when we vote.
Robert Winner 50+
I think we have problem on many levels ....
Thanks for the reply. Bob.
pat gilbert 50+
It is like one of those Jay Leno interviews like Bill said.
You guys have some provocative people in politics in Az, keep up the good work.
It just occurred to me that a mention of guns in Az might be taken the wrong so I edited the above.