Sometimes this debate is framed in terms of "freedom to" vs. "freedom from".

In other words, would you give up your freedoms "to" live where you want, work the career that you want, etc. in exchange for being free "from" pressures to make money, feed & clothe your family, etc.

Personally I think so-called "capitalism" is more or less the natural order -- people would rather do for themselves than have the state do for them. For instance any time an economy is regulated, a black market springs up. It's true in most of the west today re: "illegal drugs" and the Soviet union, China, etc. have rampant smuggling and black marketing in all sorts of "consumer goods."

"Self interest" and "supply & demand" seem pretty basic to humans throughout history and everywhere in the world. People having been trading and seeking profits since long long long before the term "capitalism" was invented. In fact the development of these "economic instincts" may have been what brought about "civilization" in the first place. Without them we'd probably still be small tribes of hunter-gatherers with limited technology and collective activity of any sort. (Which interestingly sounds like the vision that "socialists" often have of a utopian society. But how do you get there from here? Want to give up your computer, cellphone, car, etc? Didn't think so.)

Personally, I think that the "what's your alternative" arguement the lazy one. For example, in the recent war protests it's the people that positted that who now think "would you rather Saddam was still there" is all the justification they need.