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Capitalism is not the idea that you buy happiness. It's the idea that you freely trade with others to get items you need. It creates abundance - even overabund
by Artistry121 11y ago
Capitalism is not the idea that you buy happiness. It's the idea that you freely trade with others to get items you need.
It creates abundance - even overabundance for some - and then one can choose what level of consumption they want. Less buying = higher savings = more capital or leisure time so capitalism can actually encourage savings.
- llamataboot 11y agoCapitalism as a philosophical idea of free trade is far different than how corporate capitalism has actually looked in practice though. Not only in terms of power and information disparities and massive externalities making a mockery of the idea of "pure capitalism" (much as crushing and brutal authoritarianism made a mockery of "pure Communism") but also because advertising is a mind control weapon. I know its popular for smart people to think that advertising doesn't affect them but I can assure you that it is VERY hard to choose what level of consumption you want to live it while you are swimming in a sea of advertisements designed to make you feel unconsciously dissatisfied with what you have. The only experiment I could think of to counter this would be to live mostly off the grid or deep in an "undeveloped" country for a year or two and watch how your consciousness shifts. Otherwise it is like the fish that is looking for the water.
- ljw1001 11y agoI never said it was. The 'fairy tale' is the way media and especially, advertising, portray the benefits of consumption. The selling of this idea is a key part of capitalism, not as a concept, but as it's practiced today.