Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few

Let us begin our journey into the heart of capitalism with a gentle question: What if everything you thought about markets was just a story? Imagine you are sitting in a warm, softly lit room, listening to the hum of distant city life. The world outside believes in the myth of the 'free market,' a place where invisible hands set prices and reward those who work hardest. But as you listen, you realize the truth is far more intricate—and more hopeful.

Markets, you see, are not natural wonders like mountains or rivers. They are built, brick by brick, by the rules we choose to set. Every property right, every contract, every bankruptcy law, every enforcement mechanism is a decision, a product of negotiation and power. When someone says, 'let the market decide,' they are really saying, 'let those who wrote the rules decide.'

Consider the story of financial deregulation. In the late 20th century, the rules for banks and Wall Street were rewritten. Old restrictions were lifted, but new ones were quietly put in place, allowing banks to speculate and grow ever larger. When the bubble burst, new rules were written again—this time to bail out the biggest players, while millions lost their homes. The rules didn’t disappear; they shifted, often benefiting those who already held power.

But most of us are too busy, too distracted, or too disillusioned to notice the slow drip of change. The real action is not in the newsworthy bailouts, but in the daily, almost invisible adjustments—tiny edits to laws, subtle regulatory changes, quiet court decisions—that shape who wins and who loses.

So, as we move forward, remember: the 'free market' is not a wild land beyond civilization. It is civilization, crafted by us, and it can be remade. Let’s step into the next section, where we explore the five building blocks that form the very foundation of our economic lives.