"Capitalism" is amoral and uncommitted to democracy. There are colluding plunderers and shareholding, temporarily-embarrassed millionnaires hoping to bend principles just enough to win at the...
"Capitalism" is amoral and uncommitted to democracy. There are colluding plunderers and shareholding, temporarily-embarrassed millionnaires hoping to bend principles just enough to win at the casino. The laws protecting democracy itself from capitalism's excesses and corruption must be strong and demonstrably effective. Profit is usually made by buying work cheap and selling the result high. Sometimes, profit comes from a good idea. But exploitation is the usual way. Exploitation is profitable.
Wealth is being accumulated grotesquely by the rich. Workers and their families need health care, education, affordable housing, and a place to grow old in comfort.
The voters in a democracy need to defend their system with clear thinking, critique, and militancy. If they relinquish their civic responsibility because the fetishistic hedonism of baubles and diversions feels better, it is clear where democracy will end.
We the people grant you a limited monopoly and call it a patent. So you can prosper for your contribution to society. When it expires we can all benefit and add to your work. Originally 14 years...
We the people grant you a limited monopoly and call it a patent. So you can prosper for your contribution to society. When it expires we can all benefit and add to your work. Originally 14 years with a 14 year extension.
Corporate charters can and will be revoked when you act against the will of the people that deem it so, in a fairly elected democracy.
I think that the answers given on behalf of Capitalism are all basically: "Oh, the people will have to rise up and save it from itself. ", which seems a little... out of touch? If the people...
I think that the answers given on behalf of Capitalism are all basically: "Oh, the people will have to rise up and save it from itself. ", which seems a little... out of touch? If the people actually gain enough political power to make changes, I don't think that incrementalism is going to be at the top of their list of priorities.
Betteridge's law of better headlines... But something that always seems to be missing in these sorts of discussions is the idea of market socialism. While I'm personally a little dubious of the...
Betteridge's law of better headlines... But something that always seems to be missing in these sorts of discussions is the idea of market socialism. While I'm personally a little dubious of the utility of the market, it's fully possible to have a market economy without capitalism. And I don't mean "without capitalism" in the modern way of, "capitalism but with higher taxes and some social programs", I mean that there's no rule that says that after the workers seize the means of production, they have to implement a centralized command economy. One could easily envisage a system wherein all corporations and enterprises are required to be structured as democratically managed and owned worker cooperatives. That would let you reap the supposed benefits of a market economy without consigning the bulk of humanity to wage slavery.
"Capitalism" is amoral and uncommitted to democracy. There are colluding plunderers and shareholding, temporarily-embarrassed millionnaires hoping to bend principles just enough to win at the casino. The laws protecting democracy itself from capitalism's excesses and corruption must be strong and demonstrably effective. Profit is usually made by buying work cheap and selling the result high. Sometimes, profit comes from a good idea. But exploitation is the usual way. Exploitation is profitable.
Wealth is being accumulated grotesquely by the rich. Workers and their families need health care, education, affordable housing, and a place to grow old in comfort.
The voters in a democracy need to defend their system with clear thinking, critique, and militancy. If they relinquish their civic responsibility because the fetishistic hedonism of baubles and diversions feels better, it is clear where democracy will end.
We the people grant you a limited monopoly and call it a patent. So you can prosper for your contribution to society. When it expires we can all benefit and add to your work. Originally 14 years with a 14 year extension.
Corporate charters can and will be revoked when you act against the will of the people that deem it so, in a fairly elected democracy.
Or something along those lines. One can wish.
I think that the answers given on behalf of Capitalism are all basically: "Oh, the people will have to rise up and save it from itself. ", which seems a little... out of touch? If the people actually gain enough political power to make changes, I don't think that incrementalism is going to be at the top of their list of priorities.
Betteridge's law of better headlines... But something that always seems to be missing in these sorts of discussions is the idea of market socialism. While I'm personally a little dubious of the utility of the market, it's fully possible to have a market economy without capitalism. And I don't mean "without capitalism" in the modern way of, "capitalism but with higher taxes and some social programs", I mean that there's no rule that says that after the workers seize the means of production, they have to implement a centralized command economy. One could easily envisage a system wherein all corporations and enterprises are required to be structured as democratically managed and owned worker cooperatives. That would let you reap the supposed benefits of a market economy without consigning the bulk of humanity to wage slavery.