What are Companies Good For?

In today’s Economix blog, Uwe Reinhardt addresses the time honored debate regarding the role companies play in an economy.  He contrasts the Neo-Classical view, with appropriate reference to Adam Smith, with communitarian views   expressed by many critics of capitalism.  He argues that simple ideological distinctions misinform rather than inform a discussion of how wealth is generated or destroyed by business.  Reinhardt writes superbly.  I encourage all to read his regular entries to the NYTimes Economics blog.