Describe 4 basic rights that form the foundation of capitalism?

Answer 1

1) Right to Life. This is the fundamental right from which all other rights flow. This right recognizes the fundamental nature of man's right to exist. If all men have the right to exist than how do you define or describe existence? If you do not have the right of free will (to choose your actions) then you don't have control over your existence and you risk nullifying your right to life, so...

2) Right to Liberty. This is the next fundamental right which logically flows from your right to life, #1. Liberty can also be thought of as right to free will (freedom). The right to make your own decisions and thus reap the consequences of those decisions. You can do whatever you want so long as you do not infringe on another's rights. The concept of consequences is important here. You do not really have a right to liberty (do what you want) if you don't have ownership of the consequences of those actions, thus #3...

(a brief note: the right to happiness, or to pursue happiness, is a derivative form of the right to liberty or free will. Freedom assumes that you can pursue whatever you want--ie. your happiness).

3) Right to Property. Property is what is yours due to your actions under #2. You have a right to keep and use (based on your right to liberty) anything which you create or acquire through consequences to your free actions under your right to liberty.

That is pretty much it. All other rights which enable Capitalism are really just derivative forms of these. With these 3 basic rights Capitalism can flourish. However, the challenge is how do you protect your rights? Well, because of #1 which is essentially the right to exist and that right to exist is null if you do not also have #'s 2 & 3, then you have an implicit (implied) right to self defense of your rights. If each person has to be constantly vigilant in defending their own rights it doesn't leave much time to pursue happiness (your will) or enjoy property (consequences of your will's actions). Thus, as a practical matter mankind forms government as a voluntary contract of sorts where each person VOLUNTARILY allows a slight reduction in #2 (liberty-we agree not to do certain things or to share certain things) for the EXPRESS purpose of protecting our rights from infringement by others.

Capitalism is essentially a system whereby free people use their free will to exchange their property with one another to their mutual benefit (each persons interest in their own will means that voluntary exchange would only occur if it were rational; in other words, mutually beneficial).

Answer 2

1. Property rights: Individuals have the right to own, use, and dispose of property as they see fit.
2. Freedom of contract: Individuals have the right to enter into agreements with others voluntarily.
3. Freedom of competition: Individuals have the right to compete in the marketplace without undue restrictions.
4. Right to profit: Individuals have the right to keep the profits generated from their entrepreneurial activities.