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One of my favorite quotes I think is relevant to this whole business of capitalism as good/bad/whatever: "Capitalism is not a system, it's a word invented by s

by adam419 10y ago

One of my favorite quotes I think is relevant to this whole business of capitalism as good/bad/whatever: "Capitalism is not a system, it's a word invented by some 19th century hipster to describe a situation where people freely buy and sell things" -abbreviated and author unknown Point being capitalism is not a system....it is THE natural system. All else is a hinderance to it.

doener 10y ago
If it is the "natural system" why did it emerge only in the 19th century after thousand of years of societies ruled by feudalism and other systems?
- nitwit005 10y ago
  Capitalism isn't a system of governance. There was capitalism going on during feudalism, and every other sort of government and society.
  - doener 10y ago
    Capitalism was not the dominant form of order, status or distribution of wealth in feudalistic socities. For your well-being it was more important in which status group you were born in than what you abilities were. As a member of nobility you did not work or were productive and lived very good as a rent seeker.
- brador 10y ago
  Because capitalism requires the protection and preservation of property. This requires an outside party (the government, police force, etc.) to protect the property. If you can't defend it or feel it is safe then capitalism fails because people hoard instead of spend.
King-Aaron 10y ago
> it is THE natural system This is why almost all other group/pack species in the animal kingdom all have a central leader, because............ it's not the natural order of things. The idea of people being equal enough to contribute is only a recent concept to be fair.
woodandsteel 10y ago
Actually, what is natural to the human species is foraging by small bands, which is basically cooperative. Capitalism became dominate only when industrial technology made it possible to vastly increase wealth through large economic enterprises. Now with AI technology it looks like capitalism may soon no longer be the way to go.
- nitwit005 10y ago
  Even the hunter gatherer societies traded. You'd frequently find people wearing decorative shells far inland.

by adam419 10y ago

doener 10y ago

If it is the "natural system" why did it emerge only in the 19th century after thousand of years of societies ruled by feudalism and other systems?

nitwit005 10y ago
Capitalism isn't a system of governance. There was capitalism going on during feudalism, and every other sort of government and society.
- doener 10y ago
  Capitalism was not the dominant form of order, status or distribution of wealth in feudalistic socities. For your well-being it was more important in which status group you were born in than what you abilities were. As a member of nobility you did not work or were productive and lived very good as a rent seeker.
brador 10y ago
Because capitalism requires the protection and preservation of property. This requires an outside party (the government, police force, etc.) to protect the property. If you can't defend it or feel it is safe then capitalism fails because people hoard instead of spend.

King-Aaron 10y ago

> it is THE natural system This is why almost all other group/pack species in the animal kingdom all have a central leader, because............ it's not the natural order of things. The idea of people being equal enough to contribute is only a recent concept to be fair.

woodandsteel 10y ago

Actually, what is natural to the human species is foraging by small bands, which is basically cooperative. Capitalism became dominate only when industrial technology made it possible to vastly increase wealth through large economic enterprises. Now with AI technology it looks like capitalism may soon no longer be the way to go.

nitwit005 10y ago
Even the hunter gatherer societies traded. You'd frequently find people wearing decorative shells far inland.