Is Capitalism Evil?

[mecca]

If you really want communism, you're going to have to be prepared for rationing, enforced labor and a government that dominates all facets of life. Would you want to live in a world where you need a permission slip to go to a store and upgrade your smartphone? The govt. would probably outlaw fast food franchises, since they are unhealthy and are the epitome of both large and small private enterprise. Not to mention car dealerships, movie theaters, maybe even internet shopping. Also, since a communist govt. would own everything, they would control energy companies, and set production and pricing for electricity, gasoline, phone and internet service. They would have a monopoly on everything, and would have zero incentive for innovation or efficiency. That's what happened in every single Iron Curtain country, back in the last century. They had to smuggle in blue jeans, for crying out loud.

I don't think that's what people mean when they say they like the idea of communism. No one really wants a dictatorship...

 

[Vixy]

I don't think capitalism is evil per se. A relative of mine was one and he was the greatest man I have ever known. He was there through thick and thin with me and just an overall great dude, not perfect, but great. If I needed anything- ANYTHING he was there with money or the thing or just to do something fun that his wife wasn't up for like going to the mall or something like that. Maybe gossiping about someone. Maybe hang a bit in the garage or talk politics.

So no, I don't have any bad ecperiences with capitalists. I have known a couple of them and they have all been great people who knew how to behave. For example I knew this middle aged dude who owned a store, he was very cheap, like down to the penny but a good guy who gladly gave good advice. Can't say anything bad about him. The wife though.. Wow! Cold heart and very harsh. Come to think about it, all these good dudes with money seem to have a wife who is harsh? Interesting..

The relatives wife became cold due to his cheating so I get that, also she got a form of alzheimers later so it could have affected her mood but the other one there was nothing physically wrong with, she was just...harsh. Or maybe good people attract harsh people to keep it in balance? I dunno but it sure is interesting.

Let me clarify though: The relative was a man of NO power at all, he lived a quiet life amongst relatives and didnt cause any fuzz, the other one only had his store and that's not really power either. Maybe you meant REAL capitalists like shit a**ed rich people? Well, don't know any of those.

 

[mecca]

Maybe you meant REAL capitalists like shit a**ed rich people?

Yeah those ones are pretty bad.

 

[Etagloc]

 

[SkepticCat]

A society based on greed doesn't sound remotely Christian. If Jesus came and started a new government, I think there would be a massive redistribution of wealth and resources. I don't think he would have been cool with a bunch of people being homeless while others people have billions. It's as though the US military has infinite money and I'm a crazy utopian because I think we could fix a lot of problems if we just spent a fraction of that money helping people. We have all this power and technology yet we're told we must accept the established system because this is the best it can be? I simply don't believe that. I do think one day the present social order will fall and a new one will be established.

The sheer insanity of it is baffling, isn't it?

"In this present crisis government is not the solution to our problems... Government IS the the problem."

The core of the problem isn't whatever economic system is used - the core problem is human behaviour, human motivation. It's the lack of ethics and morals - sin - that sits at the center of any aspect of a perceived faulty system. Capitalism = ruthless exploitation of fellow men and natural resources. Communism = instituted, top-down dictatorial impoverishment under guise of being for "the masses".

If people really did follow the commandment to love ones' neighbour as oneself, all problems woud dissolve. It wouldn't even matter much whether government was technically capitalist or communist - because they'd essentially become the same thing: a moral system benefitting everyone. If everybody truly did just work their best while respecting everyone else there'd be plenty for everyone. There'd be fewer people living in excessive, unreal luxury but there also wouldn't be people barely scraping by living by dumpsters on the streets.

We've reached the point now where 1% is richer than everyone else, though. I believe in the right to become rich and succesful through hard work, absolutely. I don't even think the succesful are morally obligated to share their wealth... however, the real issue is not more people are simply willing to freely do so. Very rich and powerful people aren't simply content with what they have; they keep craving more wealth and are entirely willing to take advantage of others to gain it, even when they already have more wealth than they could ever spend (example: George Soros). We have a society where every man is combatting everyone else, trying to gain some advantage, some power over others, instead of working together. It happens both on the smaller scale (between people) and on the larger (between nations). It absolutely is madness and everyone suffers under it, whether it's the excessively wealthy ever concerned about preserving or increasing their wealth or the absolutely poor living on minimal subsistence. So long as it remains a game about beating everyone else, everybody loses.

That's a pretty good answer. But does someone have to give up power for me to have more? Idk about that, because power isn't a commodity. At least not in the sense I'm referring to. I mostly mean having more influence. Being able to make big decisions that have the most impact. I just don't think in *every* case that I would have to run someone else over to get it.

There's nothing wrong with being powerful. Powerful is a good thing. Power only ever becomes negative when it is used to disempower others.

 

[rainerann]

Capitalism is better because, with capitalism, government and the economy are separate entities. In a communist system, the justice system is combined with the economy. That is why communist countries turn into dictatorships. What you need to do is keep these two things separate and use them to support the function of the other. The justice system helps create a just economy where capitalism helps people pursue ownership of goods and services free of government intervention and control. This is why capitalist societies have been so much more effective than communist societies.

 

[enderpotato00]

It's evil. It encourages greed and is extremely exploitative. Money matters more than life in a capitalist world. I doubt there would be so much sickness and war if they weren't so profitable.

Yea and socialism would be better. You'll get equal resources and be lazy. Capitalism does reward people. Sure its unfair, but LIFE IS UNFAIR.

 

[VigCizMember]

Is Capitalism Evil?

If so, why?

No.

 

[enderpotato00]

Capitalism is better because, with capitalism, government and the economy are separate entities. In a communist system, the justice system is combined with the economy. That is why communist countries turn into dictatorships. What you need to do is keep these two things separate and use them to support the function of the other. The justice system helps create a just economy where capitalism helps people pursue ownership of goods and services free of government intervention and control. This is why capitalist societies have been so much more effective than communist societies.

Thank you a lot of people seem to equate capitalism with government. And thats not true. Anarcho-Capitalist's like me don't like government. We want a free market.

 

[Violette]

Yea and socialism would be better. You'll get equal resources and be lazy. Capitalism does reward people. Sure its unfair, but LIFE IS UNFAIR.

My critique of capitalism doesn’t equate support for socialism. It literally doesn’t matter what system is in place, if the people at the top are corrupt then those below them will suffer. There’s pros and cons to everything.

 

[enderpotato00]

My critique of capitalism doesn’t equate support for socialism. It literally doesn’t matter what system is in place, if the people at the top are corrupt then those below them will suffer. There’s pros and cons to everything.

Yes I agree. If we had a mix, it could work. But Capitalism has been proven to work consistently and actually increase the standard of living.

 

[mecca]

Anarcho-Capitalist

That's a contradiction.

 

[enderpotato00]

That's a contradiction.

why is that contradictory. The idea is the free market will be controlled by people not the evil monopoly that is the govt.

 

[mecca]

Capitalism has been proven to work consistently and actually increase the standard of living.

How does it increase the standard of living when it requires poor people to work for the rich, the poor keep getting poorer currently. Capitalists rely on cheap labor from poor countries, they also take resources from countries and destroy their standard of living for personal gain.

 

[enderpotato00]

How does it increase the standard of living when it requires poor people to work for the rich, the poor keep getting poorer currently. Capitalists rely on cheap labor from poor countries, they also take resources from countries and destroy their standard of living for personal gain.

I don't what capitalism you live under. But socialism is kind of similar to what you're talking about. You'll just stay poor b/c there's no fucking opportunity too. Under Capitalism, people have the freedom to move up.

 

[enderpotato00]

How does it increase the standard of living when it requires poor people to work for the rich, the poor keep getting poorer currently. Capitalists rely on cheap labor from poor countries, they also take resources from countries and destroy their standard of living for personal gain.

And look at this country? Why is it so prosperous? In Greece and other socialist countries, it has failed and will always fail. You're just trying to make Capitalism look bad even though you wouldn't have a laptop (easily) without Capitalism. Capitalism IS BUILT by PEOPLE.

 

[mecca]

why is that contradictory. The idea is the free market will be controlled by people not the evil monopoly that is the govt.

If you look up the history of Anarchy, it has always and consistently been anti-capitalist. Anarchists are concerned with the destruction of hierarchical structures in society and capitalism is a highly hierarchical system. Anarchists are also against coercive systems and capitalism requires coercion to function.

 

[enderpotato00]

If you look up the history of Anarchy, it has always and consistently been anti-capitalist. Anarchists are concerned with the destruction of hierarchical structures in society and capitalism is a highly hierarchical system. Anarchists are also against coercive systems and capitalism requires coercion to function.

Anarchy is getting rid of any form of govt. Under socialism, there will still be a leader to distribute wealth equally, because not everyone within that will get a chance to distribute resources equally.

 

[enderpotato00]

If you look up the history of Anarchy, it has always and consistently been anti-capitalist. Anarchists are concerned with the destruction of hierarchical structures in society and capitalism is a highly hierarchical system. Anarchists are also against coercive systems and capitalism requires coercion to function.

But that also won't happen b/c we'll have some way to prevent hierarchy. All of the people will make choices and everything will be privatized.

 

[mecca]

You'll just stay poor b/c there's no fucking opportunity too.

Communism's goal is to end poverty. If everyone is provided basic necessities, they can go on to do other things with their life instead of being constantly concerned with their very survival.

Under Capitalism, people have the freedom to move up.

No, they have the illusion of freedom to move up. People can't get rich from working for other people.

even though you wouldn't have a laptop (easily) without Capitalism

Laptops are produced by workers, the workers would do the exact same things in a communist society except they will be aable to have democratic control over their own workplace along with their coworkers.

it has failed and will always fail

There are plenty examples of successful decentralized communal living and we can create that system again, especially with advancements in technology and automation.