If you ask an economist about the difference between capitalism and socialism, you’ll probably get a boring answer about the size of government, the impact on incentives, and the power of the state.
Or maybe you’ll get a nit-picking answer, sort of like when I explained that Obama technically isn’t a socialist.
That’s why it’s sometimes best to use simple, common-sense analogies.
Two years ago, I used two cows to explain the differences between various economic systems.
But this image may be an ever more succinct way to showing the difference between capitalism and socialism.
Or, if you prefer stories, this updated version of the fable of the ant and the grasshopper makes the same point.
And here’s the PC version of the Little Red Hen.
International Liberty 
LES DESSOUS DE MA VOISINE
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[…] On a lighter note, here’s the “bread-ish” difference between socialism and […]
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[…] turns out that even well-meaning commissars did a terrible job. There was massive inefficiency and widespread shortages. Simply stated, notwithstanding the delusions of some left-wing economists (see postscript of this […]
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[…] of us who reside in the real world, by contrast, already understand the difference between capitalism and […]
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Capitalism is The economic system. Socialism is a Political System. It is that simple. Everything else is just details.
Marxism and Fascism are both Tyrannical Socialist systems. They use the same tactics to enslave. Everything else is just details. I hope my point is understood.
Just as politician should “FOCUS” on JOB creation versus Unemployment Benefits, these same politicians should “FOCUS” on ways to CURE or PREVENT deceases versus Insurance that never cured or prevented anything
The most acurate term is likely “totalitarianism.”
Though given the end product/destination of totalitarianism’s every form is indeed Hayek’s Serfdom, one may well ask: what’s in a name?
[…] This image is a funny but accurate illustration of the difference between socialism and capitalism. And […]
Reblogged this on This Got My Attention and commented:
Touche!
Dear Mr Mitchell, I notice on the use of cows and government that you missed out my own government, the British Government. I feel compelled to address the situation. I have had to tolerate them for nearly 45 years so I feel that I hold enough experience of them to comment.
The British government, 2 cows, both go mad, one eats the other, then it is placed in a straight jacket, locked in an institute where it’s forced to produce chocolate milk shake.
About does it..hope this straightens things out. Nice site by the way. I enjoy reading it. Your site explain politics in a well defined manner. No idea what the press don’t present it in the same light. Probably paid not to..
Regards
Ken
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Reblogged this on theMarketSoul ©1999 – 2014 and commented:
…keeping economic concepts simple or just plain being conceptually simple…
Dan Mitchell has a knack in this re-blogged post to get the concept of socialism versus capitalism across very succinctly.
Excellent. It reminds me of the explanation I received while at West Point where our instructor was telling us why a free economy is better than a controlled economy, referencing our country as one where both existed. He discussed that the price of milk is high because it is controlled by our government because our government has decided that availability is so important that it cannot be left to the free economy yet the free market provides a wide variety of fresh apples at low prices in every grocery store every day.
Reblogged this on JohnnyAngel Advocacy Group and commented:
You can’t be a king without a castle kid!!! Just lay those blocks down and remember Abe may have started in a cabin,but when I get done we all will have one great looking wall of that cabin. You can take that to the gulag kid!!