Capitalism Sucks

It currently does more harm than good in America. We could really use a change right about now.

Also, something I recently found out: it seems Communism and Anarchy both have the same endpoint (a classless society where everyone's needs can be adequately satisfied), they only differ in how they achieve such a theoretical society. Not suggesting we should do that, just a funny fact. Well, funny if you don't really have a good sense of humor, but that's besides the point.

edited 9th Oct '11 10:19:39 PM by ViralLamb

Theyre also similar in how absolutely unlikely they are to ever work.

Buddy,you are not the first to say Capitalism sucks for America and you will not be the last.Heck,the idea has been with a lot of people since the late 19th century.

edited 9th Oct '11 10:20:56 PM by joyflower

Going to the most extreme lengths is not the answer. The answer is to institute structural reforms, and stop rewarding companies for screwing us over.

I prefer Social Democracy, personally

Well it would be quite shocking if I were to be the first and/or last. Like if I heard I'm the only person to ever not like Coke.

edited 9th Oct '11 10:20:44 PM by ViralLamb

...yes, pure capitalism sucks. Like any other pure system.

Really, it's not the system, it's the zealotry. Societies and their economic systems are like console fanboys. Their mothers could only afford one at the time, so they rationalize and justify everthing rather than admit theirs might not be the best system EVARR!!!

edited 9th Oct '11 10:21:15 PM by USAF713

As I remember the Great Depression caused a lot of anti-Capitalistic sentiments because of the banks' roles in the crash.I have a feeling that World War 2 caused the sentiment against socialism after it was over because pretty soon the market switched from war stuff to everyday stuff to suit the growing middle class in America.

edited 9th Oct '11 10:32:22 PM by joyflower

that's why the grand majority of western nations have moved on to socialism. the USA seems to be one of the few holdouts.

Yes,let's be like everyone else.

I don't know Europe ain't looking so hot itself.

edited 9th Oct '11 10:40:23 PM by joyflower

As is the case with governments and democracy, capitalism is the least bad of all the economic systems we have available.

That is not to say that I wish to equate capitalism with (completely) free markets, for the problems with unchecked capitalism are as bad as the problems with any other system.

Rather, I believe that government has a role in curbing the worst excesses of capitalism and in correcting market failures (externalities being the biggest example). At the same time, we must vigilantly correct government failures in the system as well. Failure to do so leaves us no better off than before.

China is a free market but its government still sucks because it is still authoritarian.

I also think its our American spirit to rebel against what the older nations are doing.

edited 9th Oct '11 10:43:33 PM by joyflower

The US system is slowly slipping towards a sort of corporate authoritarianism, though

"Yes, let's be like everyone else. I don't know Europe ain't looking so hot itself."

Well us up here in canuckistan didn't have our credit rating lowered...

A market place that is heavily regulated and has those regulations be enforced is all that is really required to whip the current system into shape.

Adopting one of the other models would be damn near impossible without a full-on revolution and those systems aren't guaranteed to be any better then this one.

Corporations are people now after all aren't they? And with that, money is also considered free speech. A seemingly odd right to grant a corporation, but considering how much America loves corporations, it starts looking like it was inevitable.

edited 9th Oct '11 11:01:26 PM by ViralLamb

Capitalism itself isn't what sucks. And anarchy would let capitalism run completely amuck because there's no way to enforce accountability in anyone trying to build a company and make a profit. It just says "don't fuck with people" and then assumes everyone will abide by that. Or be somehow be able to destroy the offender with no police or other legal force. Somehow, people won't get bribed or simply be powerless to do anything under anarchy. Communism is too open to abuse, largely because it's an economic theory but not a great political one.

What sucks is that corporations are using the system to their advantage; putting politicians in their pockets and such. It's happened before, because savvy businessmen do that kind of thing. TR went and busted up corporate trusts because they were such a problem. We need someone to do that again; Obama's done right by making the bill to close up tax loopholes and telling Repubs to play ball. Let's hope that they either shut up and start compromising or discredit themselves so badly they lose much of their influence.

Um....there is no capitalism in anarchy (mainstream anarchy anyways).

Anarchy, as I understand it, has no effective way of stopping capitalism.

An anarchy wouldn't have money in the first place, so I'm not sure you can have capitalism in that system....everyone already gets what they want without money, so there would be no incentive to go back to capitalism.

What reason would they have to give you what you want?

Who is "they"?

I'm assuming there's going to be a protective system in place. Otherwise, the idea that a disorganized rabble is going to work together to achieve any means of fair distribution for an extended period of time is laughable.

I really don't know enough about anarchy to discuss it in detail, only to correct some false notions of what it is. So, I'll just take my tacos and step over there for a bit.

Without the current capitalism, they'd have to fall back to the barter system. Let's face it; not everyone is going to be great at farming or manufacturing things, and many of us like having cool things like videogames to play with. But in anarchy, the ones with the power in that situation are the ones with the knowledge and ability to grow and distribute the food. What reason do they have to trade for video games? (Exaggerated example.) Someone always has the power. Anarchy does not work for the simple reason that most people don't let go of power when they have it; anarchy only works if people do that.

Anyway, what we need is a crackdown on corporations. Free markets suck, but with the proper regulation capitalism works fine. Close tax loopholes, demand greater transparency; these and other things will improve our system. Also, taking away corporate personhood, that was just fucking stupid.

I'd actually like to learn more about ordoliberal economic theory, if any European tropers are around. From what I've heard, it sounds like a viable option, but I'll admit that I haven't been able to learn as much as I'd like on the subject. How many of you would consider a German-style social market economy to be worth thinking about?

Joyflower, socialism in Europe DID NOT CAUSE THE EUROZONE CRISIS. It was many things that caused including the inability to set interest rates individiually. Please do not partake in some insane troll logic please.

Edit:The German economic model broke trying to intergrate East Germany

edited 10th Oct '11 5:19:25 AM by whaleofyournightmare