The success or failure of democracy could be measured in accordance to either the failure, or indeed the success of its capitalist economic system. In other words, if democracy is both right and proper as a system of government, then equally right should be its capitalist economic system. And if democracy is all about freedom, then capitalism should also be about freedom. But freedom in favour of who and what, we ask? See, to prevent the practitioners of capitalism from exploiting each other, capitalism like any other economic system needs to be controlled by certain rules and regulations. Because without the presence of either rules or regulations, capitalism would adopt an anarchic nature. In which the rich and powerful, would continue to exploit the poor to further enrich themselves in the name of democracy.

The free market concept of capitalism says that anyone should be able to buy or sell anything, which is permissible by or under law without the intervention, or indeed the obstruction of either country or State. Moreover, it goes on to state that the prices of commodities, would be solely determined by the retailers of commodities, without taking anyone or anything into consideration. In short, the prices of commodities would be set in the best interests of the retailer, without of course considering the consumer's overall interests. Undeniably, this is how the prices of commodities are monopolized by either the corporate giants, or the small time retailers. Because when it comes to determining the prices of commodities, the consumer has absolutely no say. It's either a case of you take it or leave it for the consumer. Thus leaving the consumer more or less vulnerable, to the fluctuating nature of commodity prices in the economy. Of course, this as a result of the ever present dictatorship of the prices of commodities, by the corporations.

Now, any game which involves more than one person has to have a referee. Who would oversee that order, fairness, and understanding is preserved on both sides. Mind you, the game of trading isn't an exception. Hence the need for fixed commodity prices or even commodity prices control, which would protect the consumer from corporate exploitation and greed. Better yet, from being cheated upon by the corporations or vice versa.

But then you ask me, how could commodity prices understanding between the consumer, and the retailer be realized in the spirit of capitalism? Well, my answer is this, capitalism, if I do understand it right, is not a two way street. It could never be a two way street. Simply because, capitalism is a rich man's game in which the poor have no say. As a matter of fact, capitalism means that those with power and wealth control the nature of the market. And as for the rest, they must bow to the dictates of those in charge of the nature of the market. Unless of course, the poor manufacture their own need, which is mostly not the case. Therefore, there could never be an understanding between the consumer and the retailer. Unless we come up with agreeable laws, which would create a win-win situation for both the consumer and the retailer. But the question is, how do we go about it?

Democracy matters, because we believe that everyone of us is entitled to freedom and the pursuit of happiness. We also believe that democracy, when it's principles are upheld, genuinely serves the best interests of all. However, capitalism, the economic foundation of democracy, doesn't either defend or uphold the notion of a win-win situation. In fact, capitalism doesn't believe in a win-win situation at all. Meaning that, the ideology of democracy itself endorses a win-lose situation, period. Mind you, a win-lose situation only favours some of us. Especially, those with power, wealth and prestige. But not all of us. And herein lies the hypocrisy of democracy.

In my humble opinion, if we all have an equal say in democracy, then we all should have an equal say in capitalism. Like for example, determining how the prices of commodities, should be bought and sold to and from one another on equal terms.