> really-existing capitalism involves co-opting local power structures (parliaments, legislatures, dictatorships, puppets, etc.) to protect your cartel.
I grew up in a communist country and guess what: politicians co-opted local power structures for their personal benefit. They drove the good cars, had the nice houses at the lakes and hard (= Western) currency. This is the case for (AFAIK) every single "socialist" state.
The only difference was that in socialism, corruption was not done for the benefit of a company but for an individual.
Do you really think that once the economic system changes, they (= we) are all suddenly better people?
It's the power itself that is corrupted and it doesn't matter how or by whom or in what system, the end result is the same.
