Is capitalism all good?

[StrongInTheArm]

Is there anything wrong with capitalism and how can its problems be addressed without losing the upside?

[Ferre]

I think the biggest error in that system is Corruption.

When humanity finds a way to solve this problem, which is the cause of most of the negatives in this system, we will all have more peace on his planet.

[StrongInTheArm]

Does it encourage greed and corruption, perhaps for money, but if our currency were based on maple leaves, would we not be greedy for and corrupt because of those leaves.

Are these things intrinsic to human nature or are they engendered by capitalism itself?

[AlexCuster]

You have some questions, don't ya? Lol. Who's to say which answer is right and wrong here.

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

Does it encourage greed and corruption, perhaps for money, but if our currency were based on maple leaves, would we not be greedy for and corrupt because of those leaves.

Are these things intrinsic to human nature or are they engendered by capitalism itself?

I think that greed and corruption comes with humans, we see it in any system in the world.

Question is not where it originates, question is how to prevent it from infesting our political systems.

[StrongInTheArm]

Originally Posted by Ferre

I think that greed and corruption comes with humans, we see it in any system in the world.

Question is not where it originates, question is how to prevent it from infesting our political systems.

I think I agree with you. Humans = an imperfect system whatever the system.

Therefore the question is how do we make an imperfect system, in this case capitalism, work?

Its not a political system in itself remember.

[ewomack]

Capitalism has many good qualities, but nothing is all or pure good. Pure capitalism puts profit and market share above all else. If polluting can get you ahead, then pollute, ignore the societal spillover costs (I'm not claiming that everyone does this, but certain lawsuits have exposed that companies have done this). Enron remains a classic case. What were they up to? Who could have stopped them, and what motivated them? Seemed like the usual suspects: greed, power, and corruption.

One of the self-destructing mechanisms of capitalism is market share. Consumers profit from choices, but companies remain motivated to eliminate their competition. So the more a company succeeds, as they're supposed to do, the less consumer choice prevails.

One of US capitalism's strangest qualities is the "illegal end goal paradox." The goal of a company under competitive competition remains complete market domination and monopoly. If you want to make money, form a monopoly. But monopolies were deemed illegal in the US under the Sherman Antitrust Act. So the "goal" of a capitalist organization is legally unattainable in the US (unless they get the gov't in their pocket). Which, for the public at large, remains a huge blessing. When people can no longer say "I'm taking it to the competition" then the market system has failed them. Not only that,in such situations the market system has failed itself.

[Ferre]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

I think I agree with you. Humans = an imperfect system whatever the system.

Therefore the question is how do we make an imperfect system, in this case capitalism, work?

Its not a political system in itself remember.

I think that most people don't realize that it IS a political system, it's a political system which rules our politicians on the background.

It's a political system that has a hierarchy of power, with the Banks on top, followed by the steel (weapons) and petro-pharmaceutical (Oil+drugs) industries >> Then there's a huge gap>> followed by the security and insurance industry.

The level of influence on our politics is inherent to this capitalistic hierarchy and in fact it over-rules all political "labels".

When you look at history you will find not many major differences between Democratical, communist or even Fascist systems on the ground level, in all those systems, all being ruled by this capitalistic hierarchy since the industrial revolution, the people have more or less the same ****ty lives and more or less the same struggles for their existance.

The industrial revolution was indeed, a revolution, and it was won by that hierarchy.

[KeithCash]

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

Does it encourage greed and corruption, perhaps for money, but if our currency were based on maple leaves, would we not be greedy for and corrupt because of those leaves.

Are these things intrinsic to human nature or are they engendered by capitalism itself?

SITA, Capitalism is good. It is the carbon based life forms that get greedy and mess it all up for the rest of us.

Capitalism is what drives the worlds #1 economy.

Cheers

[KeithCash]

He who has the gold makes all the rules.

About sums it up

[webgirl]

Capitalism is the key to America....with it comes corruption and greed...is it worth it?