Why did capitalism survive the Great Depression?

All countries, all economies will survive. But what the Depression means to all of us is that we become poorer. That is what it does to us all. It is about a reassesssment of how confident we are about the future: And as you can see right now, yes, it's about as bad as it looks, it doesn't look good. One day the economic sun will shine again. Until then it will be more & more difficult to get credit. And there will be casualties. there will be hardship & people will become poorer & be made homeless. & I am saying, & I am sorry to say we are looking into the abyss right now just like we were then. In the US right now you have a choice to make between Obama & McCain & it is probable that the choice you make in the US probably doesn't matter at all. All that matters is to batten down tha hatches & weather the economic storm that is to come & come out smiling, if you can. The short answer to the question is that I don't know what causes depressions or recovery from them: Experience shows that they are survivable, in time & with luck. But no, I am not saying it is, or will be easy....