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The question becomes what is better. I struggle to think of a system that does not end with wealthy elites taking the reins
Then you are not thinking hard enough, or know enough about various economic systems.
Such as?
Socialism and communism are not built on a top down structure, there are no wealthy elites running the place.
I think it's fair to say "top-down from the bottom-up." Central Planning is a key aspect of Communism, but the power and authority comes from the masses.
And yet every time they have been implemented, there have been elites at the helm running the show.
Socialism. The answer is working towards full public ownership and central planning, which allows for high democratic participation in political economy and reduces the negative aspects of competition and Capital accumulation present in Capitalist systems.