Is Capitalism Dead?

I heard a very interesting interview with Moncef Cheikhrouhou, economist and member of the Tunisian Parliament. He said that little did we know that the fall of the Berlin Wall and Communism was also the fall of capitalism. Looking back over the years since the fall of the wall, I see that he has a point. 

While the Soviet Union was not technically a communist state, nor is the West technically capitalist, the two systems evolved and competed with each other. The idea was that business needed to be big in order to complete with the evil Ruskies. The sheer size of the monolithic corporate capitalistic system is just as non-sustainable as communism was. 

Looking back over my last trip to Russia and comparing it to my first trip I see market improvement in the society. New bridges, new busses, and a general sense of successful business at the shops. In America today our infrastructure crumbles and business is in decline.  

While poverty is greater in Russia than in the US, it is a different kind of poverty. Most Russians own their own apartment, especially the elderly. They have a greater security than the family in America who is just a few paychecks from being out on the streets. 

We are headed for a period of austerity not seen since the Great Depression. I have never seen a beggar in Russia. They are common place here. There will be more, soon. Are you ready? 

Here is an episode of the Max Keiser report. The interview with Moncef Cheikhrouhou is toward the end of the show.