I don't think that it is capitalism that is the greatest attraction of Western societies to their populations, but liberal (with a small 'l') democracy and the personal freedoms associated with it. Capitalism may not be loved by everyone, but I guess it is widely regarded as a necessary evil. Communism involves the overt suppression of freedom of speech by a vanguard dictator in the name of preventing the resurrection of capitalism until a utopia has been achieved. However, it just sets the stage for a dictatorship to permanently emerge.
I recall a quote I once heard, but I forget who said it. It was in reference to either democracy or capitalism or both. The quote was something to this effect: It is the absolute worst system in the world, except for every other system in the world.
