fape
fape
Post rating:
+
I was reading Gary Kittilsen’s “5 Ways the US is a Little Too Communist” when it hit me: Communism might have won already – and its victory is global.
Capitalism works. Humanity as a whole had never been as rich as we are now. Of course there is still poverty on Earth, and there much is yet to be done and accomplished…
But we are all living a life that was unthinkable and unreachable for our grandparents – let alone further ancestors in our family tree. Yet, it is quite difficult to see people giving some credits to capitalism.
Capitalism and liberty are concepts that cannot be untangled. Capitalism (understood, very vaguely, as the commercial interaction of two or more consenting adults and as a social system based on individual rights) needs liberty in order to function the way it is intended to. Despite its many, visible and obvious benefits to humanity, it is somehow uncool to describe oneself as a capitalism advocate – a clear reflection of communism’s victory in the most remarkable ideological war of the past two centuries. But if it works, what is the problem? Well, it’s problems plural, and here’s my attempt to spot them:
1. We have been (mis)led to think capitalism equals imperialism.
According to the dictionary, imperialism is “the policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force.” Capitalism is defined as “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.” Although the two concepts are clearly not related in any way, capitalism is often depicted as if it was a deliberate consequence of imperialism – a huge misconception if we remember what the Soviet Empire was to the world and the damage it caused.
Sadly, many intellectuals, politicians and rulers (such as the Castro brothers, Chávez and Maduro) have reinforced this monumental mistake – willingly, of course- and if you happen to wear some Nike snickers, you are “feeding the empire”; and you are, therefore, on the enemy’s side – trust me, I have lived in two Latin American countries, this is the real sentiment.
2. The whole “poor is cool” trend
A growing, dreadful trend has been spreading globally for decades: owning things is bad. If you wish to own, you are selfish, greedy and weak of spirit. Uruguay’s former president, José Mujica, was praised all over the world for being poor. “The world’s poorest president” was indeed the envy of many. It is a worrying fact to take poverty as a virtue. There is no virtue in poverty in the same way that there is no virtue in wealth: they are simple features, just as being tall or short, white, black or Asian. Poverty is not a synonym for goodness, and, most importantly, it’s not a guarantee of anything in particular. It is precisely because of this trend that celebrities wear their Che Guevara shirts, ignoring the truth behind the myth. They are eager to sympathize with the poor – they are thought to be cool by doing this – and the best way to do show their sympathy is, evidently, wearing a shirt with the image of a homophobic, racist mass-murderer who fought inequality and criticized private property while wearing a Rolex.
3. Crony-capitalism
Crony-capitalism is, according to the dictionary, “a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. It may be exhibited by favoritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants, special tax breaks, or other forms of state interventionism.” Needless to say, real capitalists condemn such a vile maneuver. In capitalism, interventionism and protection are emphatically rejected. It is the very core of the laissez – faire: don’t intervene our business, don’t protect our business, don’t regulate our business: give us liberties and let us do. Unfortunately, due to some cronies, the whole system (a system of innovation and creation of wealth) has to bear with a fearsome reputation.
4. Fear of a real free market
Many are those who fail to see the several benefits of free market. The common fear is that if markets are not regulated by an all-mighty entity, prices will rise, small, local companies will fall, and as a consequence, the rich will get richer and the poor, poorer.
Nothing is further from truth. Without intervention, prices of both, goods and services, are set freely between sellers and consumers, that is, supply and demand really do their part.Marxists and Keynesians advocate for state regulations and stimulus from the government. In other words, Markets and Keynesians advocate for less freedom – another clear example of how inseparable the concepts of capitalism and liberty are.
5. The “I’m poor because you’re rich” myth
Communism seems to see wealth as some kind of fixed thing that cannot grow or be created, thus, if some have too much, others will always have too little. The concept of wealth redistribution is based on this erroneous vision. This is a very dangerous position since it generates hatred, envy and resentment among men and women. “Look, you have nothing, and he has too much, so he is to blame for your misery.” Wealth can be created, we have been doing so for the last two centuries. We are more people on the planet and despite that fact, I repeat, we are richer than ever. Capitalism took millions and millions out of extreme poverty. Communism, on the other hand, wants us all to be equally poor. It is time for us to recognize what capitalism really is. It is time for us to know that, as long as we are honest, there is nothing wrong in self-interest or profit-making. Capitalism works and we have to see it before we are all a little bit too communist – and less free.
Capitalism works. Humanity as a whole had never been as rich as we are now. Of course there is still poverty on Earth, and there much is yet to be done and accomplished…
But we are all living a life that was unthinkable and unreachable for our grandparents – let alone further ancestors in our family tree. Yet, it is quite difficult to see people giving some credits to capitalism.
Capitalism and liberty are concepts that cannot be untangled. Capitalism (understood, very vaguely, as the commercial interaction of two or more consenting adults and as a social system based on individual rights) needs liberty in order to function the way it is intended to. Despite its many, visible and obvious benefits to humanity, it is somehow uncool to describe oneself as a capitalism advocate – a clear reflection of communism’s victory in the most remarkable ideological war of the past two centuries. But if it works, what is the problem? Well, it’s problems plural, and here’s my attempt to spot them:
1. We have been (mis)led to think capitalism equals imperialism.
According to the dictionary, imperialism is “the policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force.” Capitalism is defined as “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.” Although the two concepts are clearly not related in any way, capitalism is often depicted as if it was a deliberate consequence of imperialism – a huge misconception if we remember what the Soviet Empire was to the world and the damage it caused.
Sadly, many intellectuals, politicians and rulers (such as the Castro brothers, Chávez and Maduro) have reinforced this monumental mistake – willingly, of course- and if you happen to wear some Nike snickers, you are “feeding the empire”; and you are, therefore, on the enemy’s side – trust me, I have lived in two Latin American countries, this is the real sentiment.
2. The whole “poor is cool” trend
A growing, dreadful trend has been spreading globally for decades: owning things is bad. If you wish to own, you are selfish, greedy and weak of spirit. Uruguay’s former president, José Mujica, was praised all over the world for being poor. “The world’s poorest president” was indeed the envy of many. It is a worrying fact to take poverty as a virtue. There is no virtue in poverty in the same way that there is no virtue in wealth: they are simple features, just as being tall or short, white, black or Asian. Poverty is not a synonym for goodness, and, most importantly, it’s not a guarantee of anything in particular. It is precisely because of this trend that celebrities wear their Che Guevara shirts, ignoring the truth behind the myth. They are eager to sympathize with the poor – they are thought to be cool by doing this – and the best way to do show their sympathy is, evidently, wearing a shirt with the image of a homophobic, racist mass-murderer who fought inequality and criticized private property while wearing a Rolex.
3. Crony-capitalism
Crony-capitalism is, according to the dictionary, “a term describing an economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. It may be exhibited by favoritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants, special tax breaks, or other forms of state interventionism.” Needless to say, real capitalists condemn such a vile maneuver. In capitalism, interventionism and protection are emphatically rejected. It is the very core of the laissez – faire: don’t intervene our business, don’t protect our business, don’t regulate our business: give us liberties and let us do. Unfortunately, due to some cronies, the whole system (a system of innovation and creation of wealth) has to bear with a fearsome reputation.
4. Fear of a real free market
Many are those who fail to see the several benefits of free market. The common fear is that if markets are not regulated by an all-mighty entity, prices will rise, small, local companies will fall, and as a consequence, the rich will get richer and the poor, poorer.
Nothing is further from truth. Without intervention, prices of both, goods and services, are set freely between sellers and consumers, that is, supply and demand really do their part.Marxists and Keynesians advocate for state regulations and stimulus from the government. In other words, Markets and Keynesians advocate for less freedom – another clear example of how inseparable the concepts of capitalism and liberty are.
5. The “I’m poor because you’re rich” myth
Communism seems to see wealth as some kind of fixed thing that cannot grow or be created, thus, if some have too much, others will always have too little. The concept of wealth redistribution is based on this erroneous vision. This is a very dangerous position since it generates hatred, envy and resentment among men and women. “Look, you have nothing, and he has too much, so he is to blame for your misery.” Wealth can be created, we have been doing so for the last two centuries. We are more people on the planet and despite that fact, I repeat, we are richer than ever. Capitalism took millions and millions out of extreme poverty. Communism, on the other hand, wants us all to be equally poor. It is time for us to recognize what capitalism really is. It is time for us to know that, as long as we are honest, there is nothing wrong in self-interest or profit-making. Capitalism works and we have to see it before we are all a little bit too communist – and less free.
aerdil
aerdil
Post rating:
~
what a shitty article. i'm sure the thread about such a shitty article will not be shitty itself. god bless!
walkinginonit
walkinginonit
Post rating:
~
What a novel perspective, reminds me of what someone in told when I was "outside" in "real life" he said "Hurr dud))) bdudy u z8 I I'm zo2"
guidoanselmi
guidoanselmi
meet me in st louis
Post rating:
~
cool op, really cool.
RedMaistre
RedMaistre
Post rating:
+
The 'Real Free Market' is Imperialism. It wouldn't be able to spread or enforce itself otherwise.
(And this is just what they would do to fellow Christian Europeans.)
(And this is just what they would do to fellow Christian Europeans.)
Edited by RedMaistre ()
RedMaistre
RedMaistre
Post rating:
+
If Communism has won...then doesn't that mean that humanity has reached this unprecedented high point of affluence under red, not capitalist, hegemony?
aerdil
aerdil
Post rating:
+
probably the weirdest part of this dumb libertarian said a thing tripe is the part about being rich or poor "they are simple features, just as being tall or short, white, black or Asian". lol weird to hear a libertarian imply that wealth is essentialist and class mobility is static
le_nelson_mandela_face
le_nelson_mandela_face
"Jpg." - Hank Hill
Post rating:
+
aerdil posted:dumb libertarian
vampirarchist
vampirarchist
Post rating:
+
capitalism twerks.
swampman
swampman
Dont Mess With Sucess
Post rating:
+++++
5 myths used to make capitalism seem uncool
1. The white species is inherently parasitical, and indeed could not adapt to another way of life
2. Just because policemen are four times as likely to beat their wives as civilians, this means they are bad people
3. Water wars in the near future
4. Most / all of the richest people on earth are also the biggest fucking douchebags on earth
5. Imagine working with your hands with thirty five years, then you get replaced by two Chinese slaves and five robots and you're told there is absolutely, totally Nothing for you, and at this point your mind and body are exhausted and unable to cope; but lucky for you: there is always steady work at the dicksucking plant
1. The white species is inherently parasitical, and indeed could not adapt to another way of life
2. Just because policemen are four times as likely to beat their wives as civilians, this means they are bad people
3. Water wars in the near future
4. Most / all of the richest people on earth are also the biggest fucking douchebags on earth
5. Imagine working with your hands with thirty five years, then you get replaced by two Chinese slaves and five robots and you're told there is absolutely, totally Nothing for you, and at this point your mind and body are exhausted and unable to cope; but lucky for you: there is always steady work at the dicksucking plant
Gibbonstrength
Gibbonstrength
Post rating:
~
aerdil posted:probably the weirdest part of this dumb libertarian said a thing tripe is the part about being rich or poor "they are simple features, just as being tall or short, white, black or Asian". lol weird to hear a libertarian imply that wealth is essentialist and class mobility is static
Heres why: like all IT professionals they believe that they and on,y they can come up with solutions to these kinds of problems. they will advance where all others will fail.
piss
piss
Post rating:
~
2. The whole “poor is cool” trend
RBC
RBC
Post rating:
+
if being poor is cool im fucing miles davis
winebaby
winebaby
bb bourgeoisie
Post rating:
~
swampman posted:5 myths used to make capitalism seem uncool
1. The white species is inherently parasitical, and indeed could not adapt to another way of life
2. Just because policemen are four times as likely to beat their wives as civilians, this means they are bad people
3. Water wars in the near future
4. Most / all of the richest people on earth are also the biggest fucking douchebags on earth
5. Imagine working with your hands with thirty five years, then you get replaced by two Chinese slaves and five robots and you're told there is absolutely, totally Nothing for you, and at this point your mind and body are exhausted and unable to cope; but lucky for you: there is always steady work at the dicksucking plant
this was an amazingly cathartic post to read for some reason
[account deactivated]
guidoanselmi
guidoanselmi
meet me in st louis
Post rating:
~
i just doxxed the real author and it was not who i expected.
seriously a fucking curveball.
seriously a fucking curveball.
c_man
c_man
Post rating:
+
RBC posted:if being poor is cool im fucing miles davis
please dont engage in sexual relations with people substantially older than yourself