11-01-2003, 06:53 PM
I should say that yes, capitalism is somewhat corrupt.However, capitalism (right or wrong) is an amoral creature unless we change it to something else. Smith created his inquiry into the wealth of nations and basically saw those who weren't making money as being of little value to society. If taken to its furthest lengths...a person who is not productive is just as good dead. Of course, we soften that...we don't purge or anything...we just ignore them. We don't pay attention to the charities that take care of those who are down and out. Capitalism seems to encourage surliness to a destructive length (though, more in some than others), insecurity with regards to one's own personal welfare, anxiety, some measure of self hatred (in some), a cheapening of culture, cultural hegemony for those who can sell their culture the cheapest...lots of problems. All economic systems have problems, though. I favor an enlightened socialist approach, but the moment most people hear the word socialism here they're looking for blood. Americans have a dreadful habit of confusing communism and socialism (economic models) with totalitarianism (a form of rule). I work as a shift manager at a pizzaria in my town. There's an old fellow who works there and I won't use his name. However, he never made enough money to retire. He was getting slow, though, and he was cut from the schedule. He may lose his house...I don' t know what he'll do. I worry for him...but the fact that nobody takes this as a factor when cutting him displays that capitalism is not unethical and unmoral, but aethical and amoral. It doesn't necesarilly take anything of the sort into account. It can't afford to, I guess...I know I hate the system sometimes, but...I'll live in it (or leave for another country...possibly Canada or Spain).