How can we transition away from Capitalism?

Question

Short of global disater or nuclear war, what can we do to end Capitalism. It seems to me the Dollar makes this world go round. Could you imagine a world a with out it?

Answer 1

what? these responses are killing me. Love the question though. It takes balls to ask a question like that.

Capitalism isn't evil or wrong on its face; it's the implementation of it that is the problem. The same can be said of any socio-economic construct. We humans have quite a knack for screwing things up and introducing corruption and greed to any system.

Capitalism can be a great motivator, and is the reason our Country has been so successful for generations. But it's gone too far. Greed is the primary indicator of Capitalism these days. From Enron to Union labor to Political lobbying "scandals." We no longer live in a democracy. Our governmental system has been co-opted by Capitalism entirely. Think I'm wrong? Try to run for a National Political Office. I rest my case. That is, unless, dear reader, you are born of privilege, attended the right schools, and are a member of the right organizations (read skull and bones, etc.). In that case, you're a shoe-in for president. Even if you're not one of the chosen and you've worked your way up the ranks from City Council to U.S. Representative, you're doomed to live in Corporation X's pocket, or be damned. Example? Jim Trafficant. Look him up. He wouldn't play ball. "They" kicked him out of the game. game over.

Capitalism won't last forever. My only fear is, what will replace it?

[edit] whoa! ChinaJon!!! i think you just made a few great arguments why Capitalism is awful! It looks great on paper, Capital for growth, etc., but you said it yourself towards the end. Ipods. Why do you think they're made in China? It's not just that it's profitable. It's that it's MORE profitable. Capitalism creates a "race to the bottom." i.e. wherever the lowest front end costs are is where the economic development goes. Used to be Mexico, now China, then Indonesia, and so on. The Golden Age of Capitalism was the U.S. in the 1950's. It was mostly a closed market, and it worked. It was self sustaining because it didn't have to play on the global playing field and compete with much LOWER standards of living in other countries. Less profits, which became unacceptable to the Corporations. They looked for ways to maximize profits, and here we are.

America is not the shining example of prosperity it once was. We have no real middle class any more and it's only getting worse. The class gap is frightening. And we pass more tax cuts for the rich. GO CAPITALISM GO!

morons.

Answer 2

Yes, let's go back to the barter system!

I know that I would love to wheel around a cart with all my wordly possessions every time I need to go and buy a loaf of bread. I need all that stuff just in case the baker doesn't need a hammer or a clay pot, which is all I can carry in my two hands.

Imagine being a software designer trying to barter your trade for some food. The baker doesn't need a new computer program. You're pretty screwed.

By the way, socialism is the same as capitalism, except the state regulates everything and decides what you buy with your money, and in every country that has tried it, human rights abuses have taken place, millions have been slaughtered, and massive amounts of corruption have made the country poor. Remember the soviet union? How about Cuba? China? Venezuela? EVERY COMMUNIST COUNTRY IS EITHER POOR OR KILLING IT'S OWN PEOPLE BY THE THOUSANDS!!!!

I prefer whipping out a dollar bill or two when I need something than enslaving, murdering, stealing, or lugging around a thousand pounds of tradeable goods, don't you???

WHAT KIND OF CRACK ARE YOU PEOPLE SMOKING?

Answer 3

Ending Capitalism is the single worst idea anyone has ever come up with. No economic system has ever done a better job of creating and distributing wealth to so many people. In the post World War 2 Cold War era there were three nations that split in two for the entire time, one nation had a capitalist based economy, and the other had a socialist based economy. The three nations in question were China (capitalist was Taiwan, socialist was the mainland), Germany (West was capitalist and east was socialist), and Korea (South was capitalist and North was socialist). In all three cases the capitalist economy vastly outperformed the socialist one. It's interesting to note that of the three capitalist nations one ( Germany) moved toward socialism, and the economy stagnated, while the two that did not (Taiwan and South Korea) maintained their prosperity. Of the three socialist nations, one no longer exists (East Germany), one remains a socialist system (North Korea) and it continues to be an economic disaster, and the one that has moved significantly toward capitalism (Mainland China) is fast becoming an economic superpower.

Answer 4

If you want to do away with corruption based on money, then I am all for it. But 'Capitalism?' So far, there has not been a better way to raise the standard of living of the working class.
What would you replace it with, mercantilism, communism, utopianism?
It is easy to imagine a world without it, since the world WAS without it for most of history. When wealth was based on gold and silver, or cattle, or land, or goats, for that matter, only the people who had those things could become wealthy. Capitalism is the creation of wealth by using investment to enable capital growth based on productivity. More people can share in the growth of wealth than at any time in history.
If you don't like what people are doing with their money, then advocate other policies. That is what politics is all about.
If you don't like how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer then become an investor and join those getting rich. It is your choice. Nobody is kept out of the capitalistic growth of wealth because of race, creed or national origin. I live in China now, and am an entrepreneur. They tried communism here for 40 years and as far as I can see it didn't work. Now they are using capitalism, and as they say... USA, made in China. They are becoming wealthy here because of capitalism.
If it is good enough for the Chinese, then it should be good enough for you, huh? Check out where you iPod is made...China. Check out where your Sony Laptop is made...China. Check out where your clothes are made...China. This is all because of capitalism. Without capitalism, iPods would be made in the USA, and cost $500 each. iPods - for example - make a profit for Apple. If you had invested in Apple, you would have shared in the profits. Can you think of a better way to make affordable products, and still enable people to become wealthy?
;-D Go Capitalism! Go!

Answer 5

Didn't Russia try that and ended up with huge bread lines and some of the worst products in the world? Capitolism is the best system there is. Some people get rich, others get poor, but the opprotunity is there for all. Just a matter of figuring out how to make it work for you.

Answer 6

Rob, Capitalism is about the only system that would allow you to even pose such a question. Try that in China or Saudi Arabia.

Study a little history, grow up a little, find a good doctor, and when you hit 30 get back to us.

J

Answer 7

Yes the world without a dollar would be called the Dark Ages where city states would rule and human advancement would cease.

Answer 8

firstly i dont see how the dollar makes the world go around its only plasic or paper.
capitalism wont end untill all is destroyed as the dollar has become god and most are blinded by it.
dont worry just imagin at the end when the fat capitilist has nothing to eat but has trillions of dollars around him?her and dies a slow death hopefully then they may see where it went wrong but i doubt it.

Answer 9

I was talkin about this yesterday, I'd like to see the world go back to a barter system still make exchanges but eliminate currency completely. I need to stop now or ill go on all day about it.

Answer 10

Stop participating in the economy.