Two specific topics that stood out to me over the course of our readings and discussions are: Is capitalism inherently evil and has the rise of capitalism come to mean the end of the idea of a “society” as we know it? By this, I mean has capitalism instilled in new American society the idea that the world is “every man for himself?” And are we losing ourselves and our culture by reducing ourselves down to nothing but work machines?
I use the term “inherently evil” as basis for my discussion but I myself am not a believer in anything being “inherently” anything, because many factors influence the outcome of the system of capitalism (or anything else, for that matter), and to state that capitalism in itself is horrible, evil, and corrupt without …show more content…
It is, simply, stealing from the earth and her people and swindling people into thinking it’s normal to pay high prices for basic needs. Often this commoditization is extremely racist as well, especially if one considers the colonization of Africa and the stealing of their resources to benefit early American corporations and provide for the needs of the new colonials. Racism, as well as the demonization of the poor in capitalistic societies, makes it easier to sell food and water at high prices and not feel guilty or amoral. By reducing non-whites or impoverished people to an inferior, unworthy race, the corporations, and capitalism itself, are not responsible for the harm it may cause them – it’s simply “survival of the fittest;” Thus, capitalism holds no responsibility for the good of fellow men, but rather encourages exploiting them as a means of getting ahead. As Fraser puts it in The Age of Acquiescence, “Industrial capitalism did not invent cruelty and exploitation. But its advent set in motion wholesale social transfigurations never seen before.” (p. 46) So, if simplified, this lack of responsibility, or apathy, towards helping others and abundance of greed is what gives capitalism its evil image. It creates a society in which work determines human value, not the mere fact of being human as a sense of human value. From this stems classism, racism, and sexism; so, while capitalism itself is …show more content…
It’s no new concept that man is worth what he owns or produces, but has capitalism not indoctrinated more into believing this is what life is about? From an early age, children are put into the best preschools, the best secondary schools, given the best tutors and best study materials, work to get into prestigious universities, and for what? Not necessarily to make a well-rounded person with a great education, but to make as much money, and contribute as much to society as to affirm the worth of said person. It’s hardly liberating to spend your entire life worrying about what kind of job you’re going to work, and if you’ll be able to support yourself and your lifestyle with that job. It’s saddening that we’ve become slaves to our work, and for those who wish to pursue other paths than joining the corporate workforce, they risk living in abject poverty or detachment from the rest of society. In this case, capitalism is “reducing a whole population to a state of abject dependency.” (Fraser, p.
I use the term “inherently evil” as basis for my discussion but I myself am not a believer in anything being “inherently” anything, because many factors influence the outcome of the system of capitalism (or anything else, for that matter), and to state that capitalism in itself is horrible, evil, and corrupt without …show more content…
It is, simply, stealing from the earth and her people and swindling people into thinking it’s normal to pay high prices for basic needs. Often this commoditization is extremely racist as well, especially if one considers the colonization of Africa and the stealing of their resources to benefit early American corporations and provide for the needs of the new colonials. Racism, as well as the demonization of the poor in capitalistic societies, makes it easier to sell food and water at high prices and not feel guilty or amoral. By reducing non-whites or impoverished people to an inferior, unworthy race, the corporations, and capitalism itself, are not responsible for the harm it may cause them – it’s simply “survival of the fittest;” Thus, capitalism holds no responsibility for the good of fellow men, but rather encourages exploiting them as a means of getting ahead. As Fraser puts it in The Age of Acquiescence, “Industrial capitalism did not invent cruelty and exploitation. But its advent set in motion wholesale social transfigurations never seen before.” (p. 46) So, if simplified, this lack of responsibility, or apathy, towards helping others and abundance of greed is what gives capitalism its evil image. It creates a society in which work determines human value, not the mere fact of being human as a sense of human value. From this stems classism, racism, and sexism; so, while capitalism itself is …show more content…
It’s no new concept that man is worth what he owns or produces, but has capitalism not indoctrinated more into believing this is what life is about? From an early age, children are put into the best preschools, the best secondary schools, given the best tutors and best study materials, work to get into prestigious universities, and for what? Not necessarily to make a well-rounded person with a great education, but to make as much money, and contribute as much to society as to affirm the worth of said person. It’s hardly liberating to spend your entire life worrying about what kind of job you’re going to work, and if you’ll be able to support yourself and your lifestyle with that job. It’s saddening that we’ve become slaves to our work, and for those who wish to pursue other paths than joining the corporate workforce, they risk living in abject poverty or detachment from the rest of society. In this case, capitalism is “reducing a whole population to a state of abject dependency.” (Fraser, p.