Capitalism is omnivorous and devours itself
1. Capitalism is (not) an economic system
What is capitalism? Textbooks will tell you that capitalism is an economic system. In it there is property and free markets.
But this explanation is too short-sighted and only plays into the hands of its representatives. For it ignores how its work goes beyond the economy. Capitalism is a form of society. As such, it builds on non-economic resources and destroys them at the same time. For example, capitalist activity is impossible without an intact environment. Nevertheless, the oil industry, for example, brings exactly that to its limits through short-sighted economic activity. Profit and its increase are above everything.
2. Capitalism destroys care work
Capitalism needs care work because it needs labor. So someone (usually women) has to raise and shepherd children, the labor force of tomorrow. This creates inequality between the sexes. Because only if some (mostly women) take care of the children, the others (more often men) can do wage labor. Wages, however, only exist for a part of this "division of labor."
Meanwhile, capitalism is also plunging this distribution of care work into crisis by pushing everyone into wage labor. In partnerships in which all parties work full time, however, there is often no time for family planning. In the long run, this leads to a society without a population capable of work. (This is needed not only in capitalism, but in every form of society).
3. Capitalism destroys the environment
Climate catastrophe, species extinction, plastic islands in oceans - human offenses against nature are numerous. But examples of good environmental policy are not. This is because politicians often act short-sightedly: measures such as trading emission rights will not be enough to save the environment and our habitat.
The problem lies deeper and is rooted in capitalism. Because under capitalism, corporations treat nature as a freely available commodity - regardless of whether it can then renew itself or not. Just think of the profit-driven deforestation of the rainforests. Successful environmental protection is thus impossible in the long term. If this fails to happen, life on earth and thus life under capitalism will be equally impossible in the long run.
4. Capitalism weakens democracy
Capitalism cannot survive without politics. This is because it is politics that enables capitalist action through a legal framework. Thus, the accumulation of capital only works if the right to property is enshrined and guaranteed by law. At the same time, however, capitalism weakens democracy. It leaves the management of the economy to corporations and does not allow citizens to have a say.
For example, large corporations decide when which product is manufactured and under what conditions. The people are not consulted. Thus, democracy is always limited in capitalism. But it gets even worse: the super-rich want full control and never tire of emphasizing their economic powers. At the same time, they accuse the state of economic incompetence and thus weaken its influence on the economy. Again, capitalism endangers one of its non-economic foundations: the political structure without which capitalist action is impossible.
5. Pure economic socialism is not the solution.
Socialism is back. Embodied by people like Bernie Sanders, it is increasingly in the public eye today. Good thing. But there are a few things to keep in mind for this comeback to be sustainable: just like capitalism, its alternative must be a form of society. Focusing solely on economic issues is not enough.
It needs a socialism that has a different relationship to non-economic resources than capitalism. Human welfare, conservation and political stability must not be subordinated to economics. They must be given the highest priority. Otherwise, socialism too becomes an omnivore, devouring its foundations.
What is capitalism? Textbooks will tell you that capitalism is an economic system. In it there is property and free markets.
But this explanation is too short-sighted and only plays into the hands of its representatives. For it ignores how its work goes beyond the economy. Capitalism is a form of society. As such, it builds on non-economic resources and destroys them at the same time. For example, capitalist activity is impossible without an intact environment. Nevertheless, the oil industry, for example, brings exactly that to its limits through short-sighted economic activity. Profit and its increase are above everything.
2. Capitalism destroys care work
Capitalism needs care work because it needs labor. So someone (usually women) has to raise and shepherd children, the labor force of tomorrow. This creates inequality between the sexes. Because only if some (mostly women) take care of the children, the others (more often men) can do wage labor. Wages, however, only exist for a part of this "division of labor."
Meanwhile, capitalism is also plunging this distribution of care work into crisis by pushing everyone into wage labor. In partnerships in which all parties work full time, however, there is often no time for family planning. In the long run, this leads to a society without a population capable of work. (This is needed not only in capitalism, but in every form of society).
3. Capitalism destroys the environment
Climate catastrophe, species extinction, plastic islands in oceans - human offenses against nature are numerous. But examples of good environmental policy are not. This is because politicians often act short-sightedly: measures such as trading emission rights will not be enough to save the environment and our habitat.
The problem lies deeper and is rooted in capitalism. Because under capitalism, corporations treat nature as a freely available commodity - regardless of whether it can then renew itself or not. Just think of the profit-driven deforestation of the rainforests. Successful environmental protection is thus impossible in the long term. If this fails to happen, life on earth and thus life under capitalism will be equally impossible in the long run.
4. Capitalism weakens democracy
Capitalism cannot survive without politics. This is because it is politics that enables capitalist action through a legal framework. Thus, the accumulation of capital only works if the right to property is enshrined and guaranteed by law. At the same time, however, capitalism weakens democracy. It leaves the management of the economy to corporations and does not allow citizens to have a say.
For example, large corporations decide when which product is manufactured and under what conditions. The people are not consulted. Thus, democracy is always limited in capitalism. But it gets even worse: the super-rich want full control and never tire of emphasizing their economic powers. At the same time, they accuse the state of economic incompetence and thus weaken its influence on the economy. Again, capitalism endangers one of its non-economic foundations: the political structure without which capitalist action is impossible.
5. Pure economic socialism is not the solution.
Socialism is back. Embodied by people like Bernie Sanders, it is increasingly in the public eye today. Good thing. But there are a few things to keep in mind for this comeback to be sustainable: just like capitalism, its alternative must be a form of society. Focusing solely on economic issues is not enough.
It needs a socialism that has a different relationship to non-economic resources than capitalism. Human welfare, conservation and political stability must not be subordinated to economics. They must be given the highest priority. Otherwise, socialism too becomes an omnivore, devouring its foundations.
