OPINION

  The Capitalist system is bad. Most enlightened people will agree with this view since the absence of any intrinsic moral base within the system has lead to a society shattered into fragments: the most obvious and painful of which litter the centres of Capitalism themselves to such a dangerous and depressing degree. Should we succeed in developing beyond this selfish system, our children's children will look upon us as we now look upon our ancestors as primitives: for we now reward all that we know to be morally wrong. Personally I feel that it is a damming inditement of Capitalism that the only way that I could be able to feel safe and secure in this life is to first become a millionaire. This of course is intentional for fear drives more people into the system.

  There remain people for whom denial of morality is as easy as the drive from the city centre to the commuter belt towns. For these people too, there is a pressing reason to be rid of Capitalism. The 'get rich quick' philosophy, held by so many earners within the Capitalist culture is no accident: it is the result of the unconscious realisation that Capitalism will eventually burn itself out, taking many of its proponents with it. The fact is that Capitalism is unsustainable. In social terms it is looking increasingly like Marx underestimated the avarice of the proletariat to the extent that Capitalism can provide just enough promise to keep the majority working within the system. However it is clear that in the long term Capitalism is environmentally catastrophic, and in the short term it is best described as economically chaotic.

  For those of the empowered, 'lucky' enough to be a part of the system and not merely suffering the consequences, the problem is how to avoid being blinded by the transient pleasures which go hand in hand with Capitalism, and start to see just how to go about fighting a system without any moral restraint or rules whatsoever. Remember, morals cost money. (While they are not currently considered a worthwhile investment from a Capitalist viewpoint, I suppose it is nice to see that do still retain some form of cash value under the system).

  I believe that we could destroy Capitalism, by beating the Capitalists at their own game. Perhaps destroy is too strong a word to use here: While it does clearly reflect my emotional reaction to the evident waste products of the system, it does not reflect my intellectual viewpoint that Capitalism is a natural phase of progression for a society. Either way I am certain that we are in need of a replacement.

  I believe that it is possible to run companies with a moral code. Further, I believe that these companies would by their very definition, be more successful than their opponents: the current crop of bland, exploitative and morally bankrupt corporations.

  Reverse Capitalism, set up companies, whose sole purpose is not just to simply exist and expand, but to actively help society grow, and to help people to live.

  Here I suggest a very simple plan. From a companies total yearly profits, one third should be set to pay for expansion, one third should pay the employees, and pay them well, and the final third should go to the individual company's reason for existence, its charity, its development project, its environmental concern, whatever. Instant branding! Instant brand loyalty. Instant employee motivation. Today's companies like to pretend they are trying to create a 'corporate image' but in the end, every single one of them stands for greed and self preservation.

  I was watching a program showing how people are still dying and being disfigured by leprosy. This was news to me since I really thought we had beaten this terrible disease. The reporter was asking for people to collect money to pay for medication, which amounted to a total cure for the disease. I have a great problem with the drug manufacturers: I find their wealth distasteful, when they hold supplies of an extraordinarily cheap cure for an extraordinarily terrible disease. I believe they should now make way for a new breed of company, a breed which does not require its board of directors to sell their souls.

  It is the fundamental law of nature: "Let the strongest survive and the weakest perish"... For how much longer must this pathetically trite and erroneous statement be used as a justification for a system which brings misery to billions?

  I have heard the assertion that capitalism is unsustainable, but
I haven't heard the actual reasoning behind it.  Do you know of any good
reference materials that might enlighten me as to the reasoning and
theoretical basis behind that statement?  

  I agree with the concept of using capitalism for higher moral
goals, but I disagree with your statement that creating a company that
doesn't set growth as a primary objective is reversing capitalism.  It's
just using capitalism, actually, as you will still own the capital involved.
Non-profit companies exist in perfect harmony with capitalism, so I don't
see why there would be a conflict with creating a company with a moral
identity.

  In fact, it could be a reason to choose your company:  a competitive
edge. If that's what the market demands.  Therein lies the beauty of
capitalism:  If you offer what the consumer wants, be it a superior product
or a superior moral position, the consumer can choose to pay for it. And if
it that's not enough, then you better hope to have a good product.  :)

--Tim

  I read your articles and thought that you had some good ideas in
general but i really don't understand this part: "and in the short term it
is best described as economically chaotic."

  As far as i can see, capitalism is giving the chance to little
investors to prove themselves, and big profit industries are going pretty
well too...  I really don't understand what you mean by economically
chaotic! 

  I can in part see why you suggest that capitalism is in fact problematic.
The way in which many, or almost all businesses exist to generate capital, and
there is definitely some exclusion and alienation created by that, that is
capitalism. However on the other hand, one needs to recognise capitalism for
its wider benefits. Taxation can be gained from the capital "earned" by
capitalism and in fact this is of obvious benefit to others within it.

  I think problems occur more so not from those that are part of capitalism,
but rather those who choose not to be part of it. I am not so naive to assume
that all non capitalists are so because they are lazy (and by a non capitalist
I am not only referring to the unemployed). I think that in part your criticisms
are looking at the world in an idealistic way and that in part they are a
little dated.

  I agree with your comments. My believe is that capitalism
will destroy itself but before this it will destroy
every thing like family, relations, community, religion. 
Everybody knows this, especially the people of
capitalistic nations: then why we are following 
this system? 

  I have just been to Europe (where rather co-incidentally my winter travels reawakened
glandular fever on my return to my Australasian homeland),  anyway i digress, my
impressions of Europe after a 10-year absence were that in fact globalisation was
probably going to be one of the most important issues of the new millennium.

  I saw a fast food outlet on nearly every street corner, where people sometimes queued
for hours while their local cuisine was much more healthful and interesting.

  I become aware that people everywhere were more stressed that they were 10 years ago,
and slowly it dawned on me that people everywhere are being slowly crushed by a
post-cold-war globalisation system that is turning them in automatons, making them
more suspicious, and making their homelands increasingly bland.

  Worst of all I saw Europe and Asia slowly being drowned in worsening environmental
pollution of all kinds.  I became aware that some places will not be inhabitable
in 10 years time.

  Please tell me what you thought...

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