The Morality of Capitalism

[Nakosis]

I'd have said "fiddle faddle", but to each his own.

That description seems the doppelganger for how socialists
idealize their preferred system....all rainbows & unicorns.
The real world abhors such theoretical models, & will
purposely misbehave.

Seems I can't fool you.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Of course, people who are already winning are bound to support a system that continues to advantage them.

The vast majority do, I would agree.

 

[Revoltingest]

That is a perfectly cromulent response.

I hope that it provided some embiggenment.

 

[Revoltingest]

Im not zactly one of those

But yes.

And people who actually grasp how
business / capitalism work.

Oh, I know that you're a Hong Konger....a bunch
of capitalist running dogs (my kind of people).

 

[Revoltingest]

Living in Putin's Russia is so much better than it used to be under the terror regime of Gorbachev.

Bones are no longer pave the roads.
The horrors of the USSR’s ‘Road of Bones’ (PHOTOS)

 

[Friend of Mara]

Unironically I want less stuff and people to work less.

 

[Nakosis]

Unironically I want less stuff and people to work less.

Hey, lifestyle choice.

 

[Friend of Mara]

Hey, lifestyle choice.

Unfortunately not an option. Maybe one day

 

[SomeRandom]

​

First, capitalism is moral because — unlike socialism — it respects individuals, their rights, and their pursuit of happiness. In fact, capitalism requires this respect for individuals and rights. This is why capitalism often is defined as a social system, not an economic system, which protects individual rights.

Second, capitalism is moral because it is pro-consumer. When anti-capitalists hear the term "competition," they think it is a cruel process that hurts those who don’t have the resources or ability to survive. This isn’t cruel, though. Only through competition do we provide the numerous benefits to consumers.

Third, capitalism is moral because it generates wealth. This wealth generates jobs, improved quality of life, a cleaner environment, and much more. When businesses are able to make profits, they can create jobs and reinvest the profits into goods and services that could have valuable societal benefits.
Capitalism and Morality.

To which I say poppycock.

I see capitalism as inherently immoral. It rewards greed, incentivises hurting one’s workers and the upper classes take the lions share for less work. It pins folks against one and other.
As a leftist I freely admit that I don’t know if communism can work. I’m no “tankie.”
But most countries have a blend of socialism, I think because the working class has fought tooth and nail for some semblance of rights.
So in many so called “socialist” countries (read any country not the US really) there is a federal agreement that basically forces companies to give employees basic rights. Maternity leave, sick leave, long service leave, annual leave etc. With larger corporations incentivised to have more part timers vs casuals. Which is better than a kick in the teeth. The US meanwhile I think has much lower levels of leave compared to some western countries. Don’t quote me on that though.

But if anyone doubts that capitalism is not moral, all one would have to do is point to the healthcare system. In the US it’s purely capitalist. In pretty much every other developed country the healthcare system is more of a blend of socialism. So the consumer pays on average I think it’s something like 250% less than Americans for the same product (medication.)
The collective taxes are spent on giving care to all folks regardless of income.
And I’m pretty sure all countries that do have lower infant mortality rates and longer average life spans vs the US as a result. (Current world health issues notwithstanding.)
That’s not a capitalist practice.

 

[sun rise]

I'll take capitalism over communism any day of the week. Even if it irritates the hell out of me.

Given that restricted and absolutist difference, I agree but also note there are other choices.

I lean towards modern western flavors of capitalism that have
social & political liberty, while using economic liberty to provide
social assistance. They're much better (IMO) than all socialist
countries that have existed throughout history.

I call that democratic socialism and is a middle way.

 

[Kooky]

Hey, lifestyle choice.

Nope, not even an option unless they're already independently wealthy.

 

[metis]

IMO, capitalism is neither moral nor immoral, as what I believe is most important along that line is peoples' behavior. What I do believe is immoral, however, is dog-eat-dog capitalism that provides no safety net and/or only favors the wealthy.

 

[Revoltingest]

I call that democratic socialism and is a middle way.

It's "social capitalism".

 

[Viker]

​

First, capitalism is moral because — unlike socialism — it respects individuals, their rights, and their pursuit of happiness. In fact, capitalism requires this respect for individuals and rights. This is why capitalism often is defined as a social system, not an economic system, which protects individual rights.

Second, capitalism is moral because it is pro-consumer. When anti-capitalists hear the term "competition," they think it is a cruel process that hurts those who don’t have the resources or ability to survive. This isn’t cruel, though. Only through competition do we provide the numerous benefits to consumers.

Third, capitalism is moral because it generates wealth. This wealth generates jobs, improved quality of life, a cleaner environment, and much more. When businesses are able to make profits, they can create jobs and reinvest the profits into goods and services that could have valuable societal benefits.
Capitalism and Morality.

To which I say poppycock.

Whoever wrote that clearly knows and understands capitalism. I mean, they know that it needs effective p.r. in order that it doesn't get mob lynched.

 

[Kooky]

I'll take capitalism over communism any day of the week. Even if it irritates the hell out of me.

Morality is subjective anyways.

The problem with capitalism, though, is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

 

[sun rise]

It's "social capitalism".

Let's see. On one side there's wikipedia and a host of references. On the other side an anonymous person on a web site.

 

[fantome profane]

​

First, capitalism is moral because — unlike socialism — it respects individuals, their rights, and their pursuit of happiness. In fact, capitalism requires this respect for individuals and rights. This is why capitalism often is defined as a social system, not an economic system, which protects individual rights.

Second, capitalism is moral because it is pro-consumer. When anti-capitalists hear the term "competition," they think it is a cruel process that hurts those who don’t have the resources or ability to survive. This isn’t cruel, though. Only through competition do we provide the numerous benefits to consumers.

Third, capitalism is moral because it generates wealth. This wealth generates jobs, improved quality of life, a cleaner environment, and much more. When businesses are able to make profits, they can create jobs and reinvest the profits into goods and services that could have valuable societal benefits.
Capitalism and Morality.

To which I say poppycock.

Like a machine economic systems are morally neutral. Morality depends on how it is used. Capitalism can be used for good or evil. And again, just like a machine, even with good intentions it can have disastrous results if allowed to run out of control.

 

[Stevicus]

It's interesting to know people who emigrated from
a communist country. Their perspective sheds light
on the usual propaganda from the left & right.

As with anything, one might find mixed reviews: https://www.quora.com/What-was-life-like-in-the-Soviet-Union

 

[Revoltingest]

Let's see. On one side there's wikipedia and a host of references. On the other side an anonymous person on a web site.

I invented the term. I've been trying
it on for size here on RF.
(But I haven't checked for prior usage.)

 

[Revoltingest]

As with anything, one might find mixed reviews: https://www.quora.com/What-was-life-like-in-the-Soviet-Union

Life in the USSR...
"They pretend to pay us, & we pretend to work."