Problems of Capitalism
What is wrong with the idea of capitalism?
It is based on a
psychological model
which is fundamentally flawed. It has disrupted traditional patterns of human interaction,
bringing material and spiritual poverty by devastating precious indigenous cultures and ecosystems.
Traditional, ways of life are replaced by a debased monoculture, controlled by an unsustainable
money system which rewards those who plundering the natural
environment, giving them an unsustainable material prosperity.
A veneer of wellbeing covers terrible
psychological and
social damage.
What problems does capitalism create?
Capitalism has brought about a society of unfortunate victims of
consumerism.
Overconsumption stems from individuals’ frustration and is fuelled by organisations’ greed.
Encouraging people to behave as individual consumptive units erodes the social fabric, damages
relationships and fuelling the worldwide growth of
depression.
How does capitalism create problems?
Under capitalism,
the profit motive is supreme.
Mathematics replace morality in the sense that profitable activity thrives and all other activity is supressed.
Problems arise from activities which are financially productive but socially destructive.
Love is fundamental to human welfare and yet, because it leads to activity such as sharing,
caring and giving away, it runs counter to economic ‘progress’, so those activities
which promote love are discouraged, while those which discourage it are promoted.
Inadvertantly perhaps, the capitalist system rewards selfishness but punishes
altruism.
Is there an alternative to capitalism?
Yes! There are any number of them.
Technological progress, fuelled by capitalism, means that our basic human
needs for food and shelter could be met with less effort than before, giving us a lot of time for one another.
Altruism, working outside of the capitalist system for the benefit of others,
is an increasingly feasible alternative, especially for those in materially prosperous nations.
We and others are working on new
communication systems and
economic models to allowing people to gradually switch out of the capitalist system.
We are not looking for help from governments or other big organisations, but
looking instead at our own hearts. As people learn to
overcome their fear they can learn to provide for one another
altruistically, and help one another to escape the capitalist trap.
We believe that this will have a profound and far reaching positive effect on the human condition.
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