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Pollution is the natural result of weakly regulated capitalism. If you can turn your costs into externalities then you'll out-compete everybody who acts ethical
by mrob 8y ago
Pollution is the natural result of weakly regulated capitalism. If you can turn your costs into externalities then you'll out-compete everybody who acts ethically. But if your goal isn't commercial success then you can afford to take more care to minimize pollution.
- jackfoxy 8y agoWhat's the explanation for pollution when the means of production belong to the people? https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/11/world/east-bloc-aides-cite-environment-problems.html https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/11/world/east-bloc-aides-cit...
- mrob 8y agoThe same tragedy-of-the-commons effects can affect any economic system if there's no mechanism to prevent them. If the means of production belong to the people in name only, then those with the real power will exploit them to the detriment to others. One advantage of capitalism is that we don't have to pretend this doesn't happen, which means we can introduce the strong regulations necessary to control externalities.
- theredbox 8y agoAnd if your goal is not a commercial success why would you do it in the first place ?