Capitalism vs Socialism

   There are some things that government can and should do, such as road and bridge construction and repair, law enforcement, fire protection, and environmental and pollution control.
   This is largely because private enterprise cannot or will not do these things on their own. Why?  Because the profit motive is not there. And when it is, the cost to consumers is so outrageous that government steps in to ensure benefits for the population as a whole, not just for the rich.
   Otherwise, when the profit motive is strong enough and there is a market for a product or service, private enterprise typically jumps at the opportunity to make a buck. It  is free to do so. Or not.
   But since the underlying, basic feature of a capitalist system is greed, investors will take advantage and act.
   That's one end of the economic spectrum -- unfettered, capitalist free enterprise. At the other end is an economy fully controlled by government with the goal of providing a range of goods and services to all members of society, at minimal cost to them.
   So which is better -- totally free enterprise controlled solely by a profit motive with no government interference?
   Or an economic system tightly controlled by government, which tells producers what to make, how much to make and for whom to make it?
   Or should a society strive for something in the middle, where those with money to invest seek the best return on their capital, but are limited by government rules that prevent them from taking all they can with no concern for the general welfare?
   
   History shows that systems at each extreme don't work for the benefit of all citizens, even though each has some good concepts to contribute to the general welfare. Therefore, a better system would be one that fits somewhere in the middle, borrowing from each system and striving to provide the most benefit for the most people.
   Ah, but there's the rub. Where, on what location on the economic spectrum, is the better place to be?
   That decision is made often, especially in societies that elect political leaders who follow the wishes of the majority of the electorate and use political influence to nudge an economy in a direction that will benefit all.