One thing I forgot to mention before is that Europe, for example, while being made up a wide mix of regulated capitalistic economic systems (thanks to the varied socialized natures of each government), is democratic.

Democracy is decentralization.

The social economic arrangements are another thing. They are defined and controlled by the governing system, not the opposite.

Here on HIVE, I own my HIVE. It is no one else's, and I don't share it with anyone.

Just like we all own our own home (sooner or later).

But I get the sense that what we're really talking about is whether the local baker gets to call the shots in his bakery or not. As long as he/she puts up the money, I'm inclined to say they deserve to be the boss. On the other hand, when a group of people open a cooperative bakery, I have no problem with that either. That's pure business.

Democracy is another thing. It's the form of governance we choose to regulate and control not just our economic arrangements, but all other social arrangements appropriate for each level of governance, from flat owners who share the cost of roof repairs, to ordinary private citizens who vote for a national health service, both because it is the economically rational thing to do. (The tough part is convincing them. 😂 )