Difference between revisions of "Capitalists are not your friends."
From Critiques Of Libertarianism
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[[Category:Capitalism]] | [[Category:Capitalism]] | ||
| − | {{DES | des = Libertarians are cheerleaders for capitalists and capitalism. But as a worker, a consumer, or even as another capitalist, capitalists are not your friends | + | {{DES | des = Libertarians are cheerleaders for capitalists and capitalism. But as a worker, a consumer, or even as another capitalist, capitalists are not your friends. Not theoretically, and not in real life. | show=}} |
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The central goal of a capitalist is capital accumulation, and capitalists compete to screw workers, consumers, other capitalists, and society out of everything of value. They will compete by fair means or foul, whichever is more profitable. | The central goal of a capitalist is capital accumulation, and capitalists compete to screw workers, consumers, other capitalists, and society out of everything of value. They will compete by fair means or foul, whichever is more profitable. | ||
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| + | [[Adam Smith]] was well aware of this, and warned against it: | ||
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| + | {{QuoteOne | The Wealth of Nations/contradicts}} | ||
Free market theory (predicts monopoly, cartels, etc.) | Free market theory (predicts monopoly, cartels, etc.) | ||
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| + | Corporations are their sociopathic tools. | ||
Workers (extract as much for as little as possible) slavery, unemployment rate, H1b visas, immigrant labor, union busting | Workers (extract as much for as little as possible) slavery, unemployment rate, H1b visas, immigrant labor, union busting | ||
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Society (Privatizing profits, socializing costs. pollution) | Society (Privatizing profits, socializing costs. pollution) | ||
| − | Corrupting science, popular beliefs, law | + | Corrupting science, popular beliefs, law, and legislation to increase profits. Mortgage fraud, ALEC. |
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| + | Plutocracy, rather than democracy. | ||
Similar arguments can be made that government officials are not your friends either. But in theory, government provides countervailing powers for capitalism that can regulate capitalism in our favor. The progressive era (from Teddy Roosevelt until the 80's) showed how well this can work in real life, with the creation of the greatest middle class, the greatest rate of growth, and the | Similar arguments can be made that government officials are not your friends either. But in theory, government provides countervailing powers for capitalism that can regulate capitalism in our favor. The progressive era (from Teddy Roosevelt until the 80's) showed how well this can work in real life, with the creation of the greatest middle class, the greatest rate of growth, and the | ||
| − | greatest economic equality in history. Capitalism is only good for workers and consumers when the capitalists are well regulated by government. Capitalism and capitalists are | + | greatest economic equality in history. Capitalism is only good for workers and consumers when the capitalists are well regulated by government. Capitalism and capitalists are a necessary evil in the same sense that government is. |
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| + | {{List|title=Capitalists are not your friends.|links=true}} | ||
| + | {{Quotations|title=Capitalists are not your friends.|quotes=true}} | ||
