#Economic systems

[dumbassacademia]

People in their 40s who have completely given up on the idea of having any sort of happiness in their career will look you in the face to talk about how ridiculous it is that so much of the younger generation is anti capitalist when they also want government handouts because capitalism and taxes are what pay for those handouts and they will think that not only are they making a good point but also that they are possibly educating you on this matter

god I wish I had that confidence

[omegaphilosophia]

Aspects of the Philosophy of Consumerism

The philosophy of consumerism explores the ethical, social, and environmental implications of modern consumer culture. It delves into the philosophical underpinnings of consumption, the nature of materialism, and the impact of consumerist attitudes and behaviors on individuals, society, and the planet. Here are some key aspects of the philosophy of consumerism:

Nature of Consumption: Consumerism involves the consumption of goods and services beyond basic needs, often driven by desires for status, identity, and fulfillment. Philosophically, consumerism raises questions about the relationship between material possessions and happiness, the role of advertising and marketing in shaping desires, and the ethics of conspicuous consumption.

Economic Systems: Consumerism is closely tied to capitalist economic systems, which prioritize production, consumption, and economic growth. Philosophically, consumerism prompts inquiries into the values and principles that underlie capitalist economies, such as free market competition, individual choice, and the pursuit of profit. It also examines alternative economic models and critiques of consumer capitalism, including socialism, environmentalism, and degrowth movements.

Identity and Selfhood: Consumerism influences how individuals define themselves and their identities through consumption choices. Philosophically, consumerism raises questions about the authenticity of self-expression in a consumer-driven society, the commodification of identity, and the relationship between material possessions and self-worth. It also explores the potential for alternative forms of identity formation and self-realization beyond consumer culture.

Environmental Sustainability: Consumerism has significant environmental consequences, including resource depletion, pollution, and climate change. Philosophically, consumerism prompts inquiries into the ethics of resource consumption, the concept of sustainable development, and the responsibilities of individuals, corporations, and governments in addressing environmental challenges. It also examines the potential for ethical consumption practices, such as minimalism, ethical sourcing, and circular economies, to mitigate environmental impacts.

Social Justice: Consumerism intersects with issues of social justice, including income inequality, labor exploitation, and global economic disparities. Philosophically, consumerism raises questions about the ethics of production and supply chains, the rights of workers and consumers, and the distribution of wealth and resources. It also explores the potential for consumer activism, fair trade practices, and ethical consumerism to promote social justice and economic equity.

Hedonism and Materialism: Consumerism is often associated with hedonistic and materialistic values, emphasizing pleasure, luxury, and the pursuit of wealth and possessions. Philosophically, consumerism prompts inquiries into the nature of happiness, the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment, and the relationship between material wealth and human flourishing. It also examines critiques of hedonism and materialism from philosophical traditions such as Stoicism, Buddhism, and environmental ethics.

Philosophical Perspectives: The philosophy of consumerism draws upon various philosophical traditions and perspectives, including ethics, political philosophy, environmental philosophy, and cultural criticism. Philosophers such as Karl Marx, Thorstein Veblen, and Herbert Marcuse have critiqued consumerism from Marxist, sociological, and psychoanalytic perspectives, while others have explored the existential and ethical dimensions of consumption in contemporary society.

Overall, the philosophy of consumerism invites us to critically examine the values, assumptions, and consequences of modern consumer culture. By engaging with philosophical inquiries into consumerism, we gain deeper insights into the complexities of human desires, values, and aspirations, as well as the challenges and opportunities of living in a consumer-driven world.

[haggishlyhagging]

“Genevieve Vaughan has a brave and original mind. Her papers, ‘The Philosophy Behind Stonehaven (An Attempt to Preach What We Practice),’ and ‘Gift Giving: The Feminine Principle of Communication,’ advocate a nonmonetary, nonexchange economic model so simple, so evocative of our own personal power, and so in harmony with every idea I had laboriously come to in the past few years, that as I read it, I thought with profound relief, ‘Of course.’

Briefly, Vaughan suggests that the surest escape from the economic scarcity and terror necessary to patriarchy lies in the overt establishment of a gift-giving society. She maintains that such a society already flourishes worldwide in the form of women's free nurturance—flourishes that is, as a covert system.

To make certain that this female economic order remains covert and invisible, patriarchy overvalues paid labor and assigns status to people and things on the basis of monetary worth. Men's economic philosophy and behavior is in this way the antithesis of and thoroughly reactive to women's values—a fact that helps to explain its devastating effect on the planet and its inhabitants. Reaction is based in fear, and fear, unable to produce anything but more of itself, has spawned a fearful, terrifying reality.

Convinced that men's exchange economy is an aberration in human interaction (and a recent one at that), Vaughan holds that the very idea of exchange, including barter, is based on invented rather than on real need—‘a manipulated use of need satisfaction,’ as she puts it. It is also completely conditional: I will only give to you if you give back to me in exact measure. Extending this idea, she maintains that because the values underlying exchange— competition, manipulation, exploitation, justice, and self-aggrandizement—are inherently patriarchal (i.e., hierarchical and oppressive), exchange inevitably produces scarcity, violence, and death.”

-Sonia Johnson, Wildfire Igniting the She/volution

[rodaportal]

Capitalism to Techno-Feudalism: The Evolution of Economic Systems

🌟 Dive into the intriguing world of economic evolution with our latest video "Capitalism to Techno-Feudalism: The Evolution of Economic Systems"! 🚀 Join us as we explore the rise of tech giants, wealth inequality, and strategies for navigating this digital landscape. Featuring insights from renowned economist Yanis Varoufakis.

Watch now:

[engineeringeconomicshub]

Exploring the Innate Capitalist Instinct:Human Drive for Economic Pursuits

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[somerandomg33k]

Question for my Canadian followers

To my Canadian friends, how 'efficient' is the "Capitalist/Socialist/Democratic" system in Canada working? Because an YouTuber viewer of mine said it is an efficient system. But this is also someone who says that, "Poor relative." As in, "They will always be poor people. As in they will always folks that have less than others."

[inkskinned]

i think a lot about exactly 1 thing from the roman empire: the concept of bread and circus. the idea was that if your population was fed and entertained, they wouldn't revolt. you are asking us to give up our one small life, is the thing - for under 15 dollars an hour.

what would that buy, even. i am trading weekends and late nights and my back health. i am trading slow mornings and long walks and cortisol levels. i am trading sleep and silence and peace. for ... this. for what barely-covers-rent.

life really is more expensive right now. you aren't making that up. i make almost 3 times what i did 5 years ago, and despite an incredibly equal series of bills - i am still struggling. the most expensive line item i added was to own a dog. the money is just evaporating.

we were okay with it because it's a cost-benefit analysis. i could handle the customer harassment and standing all day and the manager's constantly changing temperament - i was coming home to hope, and my life planned in a blue envelope. three hours would buy me my dog's food for a month. i can give up three hours for him, for his shiny coat and wide, happy mouth. three days could be a new mattress, if i was thrifty. if i really scrimped and saved, we could maybe afford a trip into the city.

recently i cried in the car about the price of groceries.

business majors will be mad at me, but my most inflammatory opinion is that people should never be valued at the same place as products. your staff should not be a series of numbers in an excel sheet that you can just "replace" whenever you need something at that moment. your staff should be people, end of sentence.

it feels like someone somewhere is playing a very bad video game. like my life is a toy. like someone opened an app on their phone and hired me in diner dash ultra. they don't need to pay me well or treat me alright - they can always just show me the door. there is always someone more desperate, always someone more willing.

but i go to work and know i could save for years and not afford housing. i am never going to own my own home, most likely. i have no idea how to afford her ring, much less the wedding. my dog doesn't have his own yard. everything i love is on subscription. if i lose my job, i have no "nest egg" to catch my falling.

this thin life - they want me to give up summer for it. to open my mouth and throat and swallow the horrible hours and counted keystrokes. they want me to give up mountains and any non-federal holiday. to give up snow days. to give up talking to my mom whenever i want. to give up visiting the ocean and hearing the waves.

bread and circus worked for a while, actually. it was the kind of plan that would probably now be denounced by republicans as socialist commie liberal pronoun bullshit.

but sometimes i wonder if we should point them to the part of the history book that says: it worked until it didn't.

[mymbaworld]

Underground Economy

A part of economy, which is hidden from government either because they are illegal or to avoid tax are categorized under underground economy. Activities such as organ trade, drugs trade, copyright infringement and other illegal business transactions take place in such economy. Talking about impact of such economy on economic growth and development, we can observe negative outcomes. Firstly, the…

[worldwatcher3072]

Capitalism

Capitalism has been the dominant economic system in the United States for centuries. While many supporters of capitalism argue that it has led to unprecedented economic growth and opportunity, critics point out that it has also left large portions of US society behind. In this blog, we will explore how capitalism has failed many people in the United States.

One of the most significant ways in which capitalism has failed large portions of US society is through the widening income gap between the rich and poor. Over the past several decades, the wealth of the top 1% of Americans has skyrocketed, while the wages of many workers have stagnated. This has led to poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to basic necessities for a significant portion of the population.

Capitalism has also been criticized for exploiting workers. Companies that are driven solely by the profit motive often prioritize their bottom line over the well-being of their employees. This can result in low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of benefits such as healthcare and paid time off. Many workers in the United States are forced to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and some are unable to access basic healthcare services.

Another way in which capitalism has failed large portions of US society is through environmental degradation. Capitalism is driven by the principle of growth and expansion, which can lead to overconsumption and environmental damage. This has resulted in pollution, deforestation, and other forms of environmental degradation that disproportionately affect low-income communities.

Finally, capitalism has also been criticized for creating a culture of materialism and consumerism. The constant drive to accumulate more wealth and possessions can lead to a focus on material goods rather than on more meaningful pursuits such as community involvement and personal relationships.

In conclusion, while capitalism has led to significant economic growth and innovation, it has also failed many people in the United States. The widening income gap, exploitation of workers, environmental degradation, and culture of materialism are just a few examples of how capitalism has left large portions of US society behind. In order to create a more just and equitable society, it is important to address these issues and explore alternative economic models that prioritize social welfare and environmental sustainability.

[milanesa42]

(edit) gente todo bien por casa?

[tribow]

Tell me your tangent capitalism. Why I should be taking it seriously. Compared to anachro communists their altruistic sharing of wealth helping poor people isn't a bad thing for those who can't support themselves. If money becomes a priority over the livelihoods of people then you will see why anarachist communism is a preferred thing. I do recall you are having financial trouble, if I remember correctly but do remind me if I'm wrong. Would you still side with capitalism inspite of this?

Okay so you didn't get what I meant so here's the text I removed...

For example, people who work in the animation industry are consistently overworked and underpaid. They work under ridiculous time constraints which hurts the quality of animation as well.

Some people would then blame capitalism for this...but that's just not specific enough. I have to connect so many dots to reach capitalism. You know what people could say?

Their needs to be a standard set for animators to allow them to delay productions when needed and they need a more proper payment model so their jobs are sustainable. Shows do not need to have weekly releases all the time and it should be okay for multiple companies to have the rights to a property so studios can more properly assist each other. (well companies can do this there's just an awkward legal process studios go through to assist each other and it's just unnecessary).

Imagine if everyone approached that issue with, "capitalism is ruining art!". What does that solve?

See if I was talking about actual economic issues then yes, talk about economic systems! It is unhelpful to bring up economic systems to discussions that aren't focused on it. Capitalism was only tangentially related at best.

Also....ew, don't like that language. "side with capitalism". At which point did I say what my preferred economic system is? Don't go filing me under some category so you can base assumptions on me. You sound like you're recruiting for a cult like "Oh you're poor! That's why you need to join us!" That's the exact kind of mentality that gets you easily manipulated whether it be for better or for worse.

If you want my actual economic opinion though, from my perspective we are currently living under capitalism and very drastic things would need to change in order to move to any other economic system so people should focus on making small changes to benefit the people within the system instead of asking for chicken when all we got is beef right now.

[omegaphilosophia]

Capitalism and the Search for Truth: Unveiling the Hindrances

In today's globalized world, capitalism has become the dominant economic system, shaping societies, institutions, and even our pursuit of knowledge. While capitalism has its benefits, it is essential to examine its impact on the search for truth and the quest for knowledge. In this blog post, we will explore how capitalism can act as a hindrance to the pursuit of truth, stifling intellectual freedom, distorting information, and prioritizing profit over the common good.

Commercialization of Knowledge: Under capitalism, knowledge and information become commodified, subject to market forces and profit-driven motives. The commodification of knowledge can lead to the prioritization of research and information that is financially profitable rather than necessarily advancing truth and understanding. This bias can limit the exploration of unconventional or unprofitable ideas, hindering intellectual diversity and innovation.

Influence of Corporate Interests: In a capitalist society, corporations wield significant influence over the dissemination and production of knowledge. Corporate funding and sponsorship can shape research agendas, academic programs, and media narratives. This influence may result in conflicts of interest, where research and information are tailored to fit corporate agendas or protect corporate interests, potentially suppressing findings that challenge prevailing narratives or threaten profit-driven industries.

Inequality and Access to Education: Capitalism's inherent economic disparities can hinder the pursuit of truth by limiting access to education and opportunities for intellectual development. Unequal access to quality education, resources, and research facilities disproportionately affects marginalized communities. This deprivation of opportunities and knowledge perpetuates systemic inequalities, preventing diverse voices and perspectives from contributing to the collective search for truth.

Media Consolidation and Sensationalism: Under the capitalist media landscape, media outlets are often driven by profit motives, sensationalism, and the need for higher ratings. This focus on attracting viewers and maximizing profits can lead to a distortion of information and a prioritization of sensational stories over factual accuracy. The pursuit of truth can be undermined as media organizations strive to capture audience attention and generate advertising revenue, compromising the integrity of news reporting.

Intellectual Property and Patents: Capitalism's emphasis on individual ownership and proprietary rights can hinder the free exchange of knowledge. Intellectual property laws and patents can limit the dissemination of information, hindering collaborative efforts and impeding the collective search for truth. Profit-oriented motives may incentivize withholding or restricting access to vital scientific discoveries, impeding progress in fields that require open collaboration and sharing of knowledge.

While capitalism has fostered economic growth and innovation, it is important to critically examine its impact on the pursuit of truth and knowledge. By commodifying knowledge, promoting corporate interests, perpetuating educational inequalities, distorting information through media sensationalism, and prioritizing intellectual property rights, capitalism can pose significant challenges to the search for truth. As we navigate the complexities of our capitalist society, it is crucial to foster intellectual freedom, promote equitable access to education, encourage independent and critical thinking, and prioritize the common good over narrow profit-driven motives. By recognizing and addressing these hindrances, we can strive for a more inclusive and truth-seeking society that values the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of all.

[tentacion3099]

[ireton]

There are going to be people that will not comply.

Absolute and total non-compliance is the only way to stop this attempted takeover of our lives and our very way of life.

[probablyasocialecologist]

The pressure to repay debts is forcing poor nations to continue investing in fossil fuel projects to make their repayments on what are usually loans from richer nations and financial institutions, according to new analysis from the anti-debt campaigners Debt Justice and partners in affected countries. The group is calling for creditors to cancel all debts for countries facing crisis – and especially those linked to fossil fuel projects. “High debt levels are a major barrier to phasing out fossil fuels for many global south countries,” said Tess Woolfenden, a senior policy officer at Debt Justice. “Many countries are trapped exploiting fossil fuels to generate revenue to repay debt while, at the same time, fossil fuel projects often do not generate the revenues expected and can leave countries further indebted than when they started. This toxic trap must end.” According to the report, the debt owed by global south countries has increased by 150% since 2011 and 54 countries are in a debt crisis, having to spend five times more on repayments than on addressing the climate crisis.