A Capitalist society will, over time, produce higher quality goods at lower cost. However, many of the "costs" of products are not factored in (such as environmental destruction, health problems, etc.). The US tends to have massive per capita consumption rates compared to other countries, and we are arguably the most "capitalistic" society.
2006-07-09 13:06:09 · 8 answers · asked by Dumaflatchey 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Capitalism is a term coined by Karl Marx that I refuse to dignify. Free Market economies per se will not on their own accord clean up after themselves. Then again no other ECONOMIC system has incentives to do so either. Eastern Europe is an ecological disaster area, because the governments controlled production and there was no one to force them to clean up.
The US does indeed have a high per capita consumption rate, but we also have the world's highest productivity rate, and the world's highest GDP.
The US spends more to clean up after itself than any other nation, in large part because we can AFFORD it. It is however our culture that places value on preservation of the environment, and it is out cultural values that dictate what laws we want our government to pass and enforce.
2006-07-09 13:24:50 · answer #1 · answered by Jay S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course it can. Capitalism is about making money. Not necessarily greed. So when it becomes profitable to be "green" it will be promoted. The thing is that people don't want to conserve. Including the "greenies" that get driven in limos to there private jets. Hypocrites like Streisand and Gore. When they give some they might see others doing the same. You know her water bill for a month is more than mine for a year?
2006-07-09 15:49:31 · answer #2 · answered by oscar615b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we can somehow make it profitable to companies to save the environment then I think it is possible. For instance we could levy high taxes on natural resources like forests, mines, fish, oil, etc. This would promote business to seek ways of making money w/o havin to hurt the environment.
2006-07-09 13:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Andy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, True Capitalism ecourages continued aggressive mass consumption. It is still eating away resourses regardless of theenvironmental attempts to slow it down.
2006-07-09 13:37:35 · answer #4 · answered by Jeff R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once a corporation finds a way to make conservaton profitable then it can.
2006-07-09 13:12:26 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, Capitalism is all about greed and exploitation.
2006-07-09 13:30:53 · answer #6 · answered by King Midas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes -- e-mail me if you want more info.
2006-07-09 13:32:04 · answer #7 · answered by godraiden2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-07-09 13:08:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋