What does each political group want?

Free markets or laissez faire is in theory a system where private individuals can carry out profit driven transactions free from any state interference e.g. market regulation or state support say in the form of subsidies.

I think that there are very very few conservatives who believe in this form of free for all, devil take the hindmost type of capitalism.

However, there has been a consistent thread throughout the Conservative party existence that believes that the individual is the basis of the economy or society (Thatcher’s there is no such thing as society). The individual is seen as a rational human being, who will largely, by following the rule of god given natural law, make decisions, both economic and social that are best for that individual.

Politics is such a changing landscape these days.
It's a hard reality when you think Jeffrey Archer is talking sense. A villain of yesteryear saying what you want to hear The Labour leader say.

I think we should have a distinction between what they tell the public they want and what they really are. I don't think any of them would come out well.

I would say mixed economy would be where the Labour Party before and after JC would stand.

I was thinking of PFI contracts to build hospitals etc.

I know. Where is Varian when you need her?

Please believe that I don't know, or think I know, what is right; I'm just trying to move the conversation forward. I believe the Nordic form of capitalism might be called Social Capitalism but I a really, really happy for someone to tell me what it should be for each party.

Whatdayisit

Do the Labour Party believe in ownership of basic services by the State? I don't know any more.

They did in their last manifesto and I haven't seen or heard anything that tells me any different.

It would be good if some tory and Libdem voters would come and tell us what their party stands for.

@*Pippa*. I don't understand at all what 'social capitalism' could possibly be. I think they are either 'mixed economy' or a contradiction in terms.

I think there are some principles that both the "extreme" and more "centrist" parts of the parties could say they stand for - they just mean it in a more extreme or centrist way.

I wasn't sure how to describe where the Labour Party stands in comparison to the Conservative belief in "free markets" so I just tried a description we could discuss. I wonder if anyone can come up with a short description? Would "mixed economy" be better?

Do the Labour Party believe in ownership of basic services by the State? I don't know any more.

Pippaz if you choose to ask for simple answers to a complex question you shouldn't be surprised if someone regards it as a bit of a joke. Sorry you can't see a funny side.

I don't see that old traditions of these parties are relevant any more.

Thatcherism changed traditional Conservatism.

I would put forward that traditional conservatism recently left the building with Ken Clarke.

I used to know what Labour traditionally stood for but now I don't.

Are we defining them traditionally - which in my opinion is not relevant in this country today or what they stand for right here right now. In which case I would put Labour as conservative with a small c - hopefully left of Ken Clarke but after the champagne socialism of new labour they would be to the right of Ken Clarke!

So many have added their own interpretations to the parties it is hard to see where they came from or where they are going.

not means no means

Trisher this in not an attempt to put forward our personal views. This is not that thread.

So from your post we could take that the Conservatives believe in Personal Financial Responsibility.

I don't know if anyone can get anything else from it. Anyone?

That would make my summary:

*Conservative Party*:
Free Markets
Personal Financial Responsibility
Minimal bureaucracy

*Labour Party*:
Ownership (of basic services) by the state
State aid towards equality

LibDem party say they believe in:
Social Capitalism
Community Aid

Green Party
Eco-Capitalism

I am by not means sure about these - or the way I have described them.

Conservatism
Money makes money, survival of the fittest and the richest.

Liberals
Depends which way the wind is blowing or who is the leader's best mate

Labour
Who knows? Watch this space.

Greens
Recycle and reuse. Turn out the light. Stop flying.

I am trying to do a bit of a summary. Would you agree that:

Someone from the Conservative Party would say they believe in:
Free Markets

Or that someone from the Labour Party would say they believe in:
Ownership (of basic services) by the state

And would someone from the LibDem party say they believe in:
Social Capitalism

And would some from the Green Party
Eco-Capitalism

I have looked back at your posts. I have found that getting the same area for each party will take thought. Add those you have decided are appropriate for one party. Then try and add something covering the same area to each of the others. It isn't easy. It may be that one area in one party is as important to another area in a different party.

I thought I would try "minimal bureaucracy" in the Conservative list but other parties might think something else more important than that. No one would want "maximum bureaucracy" so I am trying to think what minimum bureaucracy stops the other parties from achieving. It's not easy!

Grany. I don’t think that contributed usefully to this thread

Toryism organised spivery A new packet of paracetamol, woo a new hospital.

Labour For the many not the few grand aims Don't know what Labour stands for now though.

Liberals Do they know what they want, or do people. I don't know.

Greens Good ideals, a good starting point.

I am Labour to the left.

That was to lucca

? failed!

Congratulations Pippa It's going well.

Whitewave…must read the question ?

I am finding this very informative and interesting thanks PippaZ. As far as I can see no need for any confrontation !
I am politically ignorant so these “definitions” are useful.

Oh blimey I’ve just read I should have kept to 3 lines??

A Capitalist economy is based on the private ownership of the means of production.
So conservatism and other right wing political parties hold world view that includes various ideological stances that can be characteristically recognise as right wing from authoritarian and populist to one nation paternalism. It is supportive of a capitalist system, and largely considers that it is no business of the state to interfere in the running of the economy such as regulation and stepping in to mitigate unfairness etc. An extreme of this would assume that everything is part of the profit motive including education, health etc.

No such extreme capitalist system exists, but some like Singapore are pretty near it. Thatcher flirted with the idea for 5 minutes, and there are undoubtedly some in the Tory party who would like to see a greater move to the form of laissez faire capitalism.

Socialism describes an economic system based on the shared ownership of the means of production. The economy is overseen and planned by the state.

There are no socialist economic systems, but some like Cuba are pretty near it.

However there are political parties to the left of the political spectrum that are ideologically married to the idea that it is the governments job to provide a safety net for those in need both economically, health and welfare. They also tend to agree that certain functions vital to a well run capitalist society should be state owned e.g. rail system. The CDU in Germany is a liberal Conservative party with these views from a conservative standpoint, and anywhere left of this centrist position will find what is termed a social democratic standpoint.

In the U.K. Labour, Lib Dem’s and Greens are ideologically married to this idea of a mixed economy as are many other European political parties.

Most policy will flow from these basic tenets.

Polarbear2 sadly it didn't resonate with enough people.