Principles of Communism

By Frederick Engles
1847

Published for Study in 2009 by
The FreeCapitalist Project
Washington, D.C.
Preface
This text, Principles of Communism, was among the earliest drafts of Engels’ attempt to outline his philosophy.  It was written when by Engels when he was only 27-years-old, and just prior to the European revolutions of 1848.
This work is the precursor to the world-famous Communist [...]

Answering Prof. Gavin Kennedy

Gavin Kennedy a professor in Edinburgh, UK publishes a blog entitled, “Adam Smith’s Lost Legacy.”  Recently, he came across the FreeCapitalist.com website and wrote a critique of the article(s) entitled, “Why Capitalism?”  
I am responding to his critique here.  I’ll place Prof. Kennedy’s statements in quotes, and I’ll respond in normal text.  
Professor Kennedy Writes: [...]

Isn’t ‘Capitalism’ inconsistent with the basic doctrines of Christianity?

No.  Absolutely not.  I have discussed this matter on my personal blog at length and refer the reader there for a good starting point to this discussion.  Additionally, I agree with the sentiment expressed by prominent Christian leader Stephen L. Richards when he expressed in 1955:
Many people misunderstand and misinterpret capitalism. They think that because [...]

What is it that Free Capitalists advocate?

Those who advocate for capitalism, advocate for a society where all relationships are voluntary.  In a capitalistic society, men and women are free to cooperate or not, to deal with one another or not, as their own individual judgments, convictions, and interests dictate.  In such a society they deal with one another in terms of [...]

Why use the term ‘Capitalist’ in the name of an organization like this?

Man can redefine words, but he cannot redefine the truth.  For the sake of consistency, for the sake of clear communication, for the sake of following a powerful path laid out by many of freedom’s most effective advocates, FreeCapitalists have purposefully elected to use the term Capitalism to identify our movement.  Members of the Project [...]

Why not use less controversial terms, than ‘Capitalism’, like ‘Free Enterprise’ or ‘Free Market’?

Today, it has become commonplace for those seeking to avoid the negative stigma attached to capitalism to attempt to substitute the use of the term with phrases like “Free Market” or “Free Enterprise.”   While both terms are positives, in the mind of a capitalist, in the truest sense, a free market for goods and services [...]

What is a ‘Capitalist Society’?

Nineteenth century America is the closest the modern world has ever come to witnessing a truly capitalist society.  No society has yet become a fully capitalistic.
America, however, has the most deeply rooted experience, history, and legacy for advocating the continued movement of men to a establish a more capitalistic society.  Eighteenth century America, by its [...]

What are the fundamentals of ‘Capitalism’?

Capitalism eschews the initiation of force against any man, by any man or group of men-a fundamental moral principle.  Capitalists cannot therefore advocate for peace at any price, or security at the expense of liberty.  Individual moral right, is the first fundamental in capitalist philosophy and is reflected in the US Declaration of Independence when [...]

What is the history of the term ‘Capitalism’?

The use of the term ‘Capitalism’ has a long history. Adam Smith, often referred to as the ‘father of capitalism’ was the first modern proponent of a comprehensive philosophy defending the entire package of basic principles related to individual liberty as an indispensable ingredient to a moral, prosperous, and free society.  Smith, a Scottish moral [...]

Why Capitalism?

Questions about capitalism are appropriately directed to the Project on a regular basis.  While I generally tend to answer these questions privately, a number of questions are asked regularly and repeatedly.  So, while much more could be written on each question, for the sake of urgency, clarity and for addressing the larger audiences that visit [...]

Next Page »