Besides the industrial revolution making an impact on society, the economy, and technology; capitalism also made impacts in those same areas. When looking at the effects of capitalism one must first understand the concept of it. Different concepts of capitalism arose all around the world and at various time periods; for example, there are documents that detail the rise of capitalism in the 1500s, 1600s, 1700s and as late as the 1900s. Others believe capitalism started in the 13th century and continued on into the 17th century. Whatever the time period may be capitalism still had some defining characteristics about it that most historians agree on. Based on that opinion a broader definition of capitalism would be best for this paper. According
…show more content…
Capitalism arose in places like Japan, China, America, and Europe. For example, according to Flynn and Giráldez “With the help of profits from its silver mines, Japan established commercial capitalism in Asia at roughly the same time that capitalism was taking root in northwestern Europe” (Flynn & Giráldez, p. 213 ). One of the major changes the capitalism brought to society was the “culture of work”. What is meant by this “culture of work” is that due to the increase in perceived competition and profit people were moved into action in order to survive and be profitable(Price, 2005). However, due to this sort of competition capitalism creates this environment where the “winner” takes all, basically, it creates a disparity among the people. Some might argue that there were always those who were less well off compared to others; however, what makes capitalism effect on society different is that “Previous ruling classes simply seized the surplus, while capitalists get it by buying people's capacity to work (what Marx called 'labour power')”(Harman, 2004). Another big change that capitalism brought about if not the biggest was the “culture of desire”. This can best be seen when looking analyzing the effects of capitalism in America. In early America’s rural north sometime between 1800 and 1860, there was a “...shift from local self-sufficiency in food and clothing toward increased dependence on outside markets for the sale and purchase of produce”(Clark, p. 169). What then followed these social changes were also economical
Capitalism arose in places like Japan, China, America, and Europe. For example, according to Flynn and Giráldez “With the help of profits from its silver mines, Japan established commercial capitalism in Asia at roughly the same time that capitalism was taking root in northwestern Europe” (Flynn & Giráldez, p. 213 ). One of the major changes the capitalism brought to society was the “culture of work”. What is meant by this “culture of work” is that due to the increase in perceived competition and profit people were moved into action in order to survive and be profitable(Price, 2005). However, due to this sort of competition capitalism creates this environment where the “winner” takes all, basically, it creates a disparity among the people. Some might argue that there were always those who were less well off compared to others; however, what makes capitalism effect on society different is that “Previous ruling classes simply seized the surplus, while capitalists get it by buying people's capacity to work (what Marx called 'labour power')”(Harman, 2004). Another big change that capitalism brought about if not the biggest was the “culture of desire”. This can best be seen when looking analyzing the effects of capitalism in America. In early America’s rural north sometime between 1800 and 1860, there was a “...shift from local self-sufficiency in food and clothing toward increased dependence on outside markets for the sale and purchase of produce”(Clark, p. 169). What then followed these social changes were also economical