I think it might be possible to model the economy as an ecosystem, and this could show why socialism and monopolies are so destructive.

An ecosystem competes for sunlight, and water, and minerals - and ends up "co-operating", through self-interest, to capture those resources. A healthy ecosystem, is indicated by a continual increase in biomass/OM in the soil.

Likewise, a healthy economy leads to a steady increase in capital. (Capital being the equivalent of captured CO2, water, and light. AKA "Carbon Capture")

Its one of the few ideas I keep wrestling with... (Of course, I also have recurring dreams about being a trail boss, driving a herd through a coastal forest, so...)

Socialism would equate to monoculture agriculture. An attempt at complete control, with a heavy use of inputs, which leads to a long-term degradation of soil.

Its essentially a means of "soil mining" rather than a way to harvest, while building soil.

Socialism mines the capital of a society, as it drains away its vitality.

(I may be using the wrong term. I include population, and the innovation and creativity of it, as part of capital. An educated populace, with a good culture, is a tremendous resource.)

What about Darwin and competition for resources and survival of the fittest? In other words, if you believe in science you should believe in capitalism as an economic system.