Any of the systems used before the idea of capitalism was conceived would probably have done OK at reducing poverty, given incredibly cheap energy. Meanwhile,

Any of the systems used before the idea of capitalism was conceived would probably have done OK at reducing poverty, given incredibly cheap energy. Meanwhile, capitalism would have done very little to reduce poverty, without all that dirt-cheap energy. I think the poster's point was that, even if capitalism helped, the cheap energy from fossil fuels was the absolutely necessary part. Personally, I'd not be surprised if modern capitalism doesn't even work so well without cheap, abundant energy. Is it so effective when almost all your energy is human and animal, with a little water power on the side? I dunno. Maybe not much more effective than other approaches. Maybe even less effective.