Anyone who cherishes freedom should be a convinced upholder of the capitalist, or individualist, economy. For freedom is in the very nature of capitalism, as compulsion is an integral aspect of an attempt to put Marx into practice. The degrees of pressure on the individual in a collectivist society to do what the state dictates, rather than what he may choose to do or not, vary from the frightful brutality of slave labor concentration camps to milder methods. But the pressure is always there. Not the least of the merits of capitalism is that it leaves the individual alone, to work at whatever may attract him, to be a hobo or a hippie.
Capitalism is a non-utopian system.
It does not promise the earth, the moon, and the stars to those who live with it. It does promise them freedom to choose between material and nonmaterial objectives. It assures them that, subject to vicissitudes and accidents which are in their nature uncontrollable, they will go as far, by and large, as their abilities, diligence, and aptitude will carry them. Not to be utopian may seem a rather negative tribute. Yet it is doubtful whether more or less consciously evil men have inflicted as much suffering as have utopian idealists, enjoying a period of absolute power and prepared to turn life into a hell for the present on the doubtful prospect that it may be a heaven for future generations.