Thus the competition and the «efficiencies of the marketplace» that are often thought of as intrinsic to capitalism are in fact present only
in free enterprise capitalism and not in elite capitalism.
Three come to mind at once: (1) the company's immediate self - interest, (2) the logic
of free enterprise capitalism, and (3) the bias of technological reason towards efficiency.
(i) Elite
vs. free enterprise capitalism: this first dichotomy has to do with whether the system actually functions as an open competitive marketplace.
This claim is well presented by Louis and Patricia Kelso in Democracy and Economic Power, 4 in which the Kelsos argue that because of the disparities in capital ownership we do not now have the equality of opportunity necessary
for free enterprise capitalism, or economic (in addition to political) democracy.
The three dichotomies are: (i) elite
vs. free enterprise capitalism; (ii) democratic vs. despotic capitalism; and (iii) responsible vs. irresponsible capitalism.
Free enterprise capitalism is the most powerful system for social cooperation and human progress ever conceived.
My personal belief is that democratic,
free enterprise capitalism can provide a higher standard of living and more freedom than the socialist alternatives and can still be responsible in providing for those who are unable to provide for themselves.
The second type in this first dichotomy is
free enterprise capitalism.