Capitalism – are there really any alternatives?
Recent economic history has led many commentators to believe that a free-market capitalist economy is the only efficient method of allocating resources. The transition of former Eastern Bloc economies has furthered this perception. In the article from the Guardian linked below, Andrew Murray considers this argument and argues that capitalism may not be the be all and end all of economic organisation.
No, capitalism is not the only way to order human affairs Guardian (8/3/07)
Questions
| 1. | Discuss the arguments for and against using a free-market economy as the principal method of resource allocation. |
| 2. | Assess the principal reasons for the transition of planned economies to market economies over the past two decades. |
| 3. | Examine the validity of the arguments raised by Andrew Murray in his article. |