Power!

I believe we can safely pronounce that Politics, Government, and Economy are all means to a Power one way or another. "Capitalism is commonly defined as a system in which production is privately controlled and carried on for sale or profit rather than directly for consumption and use" (p. 20).  Chapter 2 illustrates in great detail how Capitalism effects our economy and government.  Arguing fact against situation is what seems to be the hardest to understand in the economic market: "One reason we need government is that the invisible hand can work its magic only if the government enforces the rules and maintains the institutions that are key to a market economy" (Mankiw).  The previous passage is out of a microeconomics book which in detail describes how the economy is "supposed" to work. However in the chapter reading this is how the economy is currently working: "When the government plays such a small role in the economy, who gets what, where and how is left to the market to determine.  This permits those with power in the market, those who own and control the means of production, to influence critical decisions that affect the general welfare" (p.47).    Many today consider our economy to be a Consumer Capitalist America.  This concludes that, "Capitalism does not simply distribute money and wealth unequally.  It also distributes economic power unequally" (p. 49). 

Katznelson, Ira, Mark Kesselman, and Alan Draper. The Politics of Power: a Critical Introduction to American Government. 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education, 2006. Print.

Mankiw, N. Gregory. Principles of Microeconomics. 5th ed. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.