Dear Dr. Boli: Can you explain to me the difference between socialism and capitalism? —Sincerely, An Economist, but Apparently Not a Very Good One.

Dear Sir or Madam: Socialism assumes that human beings are likely to be evil, and therefore private business cannot be trusted with the economic welfare of the people. Capitalism assumes that human beings are likely to be evil, and therefore government cannot be trusted with the economic welfare of the people. Dr. Boli believes that each of the two systems is just about half right.