Capitalism has failed....how can we get commerce,social responsibility and ecology to work together??

Answer 1

Capitalism hasn't failed; it has succeeded in achieving what it was supposed to achieve. A society where there are green-bloods (with dollars in their veins) na dthe others (workers whose ownership of stuff is minimal).

Many people think that Capitalism has failed ebcause they have been 'taught' economics, especially the chicago school or the austrian school which extol the virtues of capitalism. But what they are not told is that the models assume somethng close to perfect competition, but in today's world, huge conglomerates distort the markets, and can even direct government policies such as signing of FTAs, imposing quotas on competitor's products, the obtention of subsidies, the decrease of income tax in the high bracket coupled with an increase in VAT...

There are 2 things we can and should do if we are erally concerned about social responsibility and ecology for example.

First, we need to stop blaming capitalism. Capitalism is a system, adn we as humans within the system play our part in defining the system. If we were misinformed, then it's our fault, not the system's.

Second, we need to put our money where our mouths are. Capitalism basically funcions of grabbing money. What we should do is stop buying products from companies who do things we do not approve of. For example stop buying products from companies who employ children in virrtual prisons, companies who pay poor farmers very little for their crops, companies who destroy the environmrnt for profit, companies who use their might to destroy opponents. For exmple, I have not had any food under the golden arches because they sued 2 people who were distributing flyers in what is the longest trial in British history, and because that corporation has a branch in Guantanamo bay - certainly not for the prisonners.

If each one of us rewards organisations taht do what we believe in by buying their products and penalises those who go against what we believe in, then the profits of the companies will be affected. Sure the first people to suffer will be the workers, but eventually, as they see teir bonuses shrink, the fat cats will change the direction of their companies to be more in tune with what we want.

As consumers we have the power, we must not be afraid or too lazy to exercise it.

Use the system to change the system.

Answer 2

you're right capitalism has failed because of greed of CEOs and politicians connected to CEOs for $$$ for their election campaigns. Capitalist has a strangle hold on politics and politicians dont know how to get out as they want badly the power and the businesses wants the $$$. capitalism is consumerism and materialism. its buy and buy and pay and pay. it will not collapse as long as the masses remain the masses and they continue to consume. if we consume what we need and not what the capitalists have produced a whole new equation will evolve. eg gates foundation helping education etc - its after they have that much profit. maybe one day - not now, capitalism will collapse as consumers cannot keep on consuming. then there's the environment - its deterioration may make somem heads to start to think. lets hope so. the ecology lobby doesnt produce $$$ or profits and are supported, albeit on a small tiny scale by the capitalists who are destroying the environment with their industries etc. its tough. we the consumers have to take more concrete steps to reduce consumption. the argument will go on and on. its human nature that is in need of a change and adaptation. lets seeeee

Answer 3

It isn't capitalism that has failed, but people. It has it's flaws, but is still the best system in the world. It is the only economic system which has worked. Socialism, communism and all the other isms have failed. They all eventually come to see a free market and capitalism as the only way to go. The problem we have is too much government interference in business through over burdensome regulations and pseudo environmental issues. We should be sensitive to the environment, but too much government involvement stifles capitalism. If anything has failed, it is we as a people who have failed to keep our government in check. Government is out of conrol in this country. We have more socialism in this country than capitalism, at this point in our history. Capitalism works when people work.

Answer 4

Oh, really. We'll just replace a system based on service to our fellow man by providing the goods and services that he is willing to pay for with a system based on social responsiblity and ecology. Let me guess who will be served by that system.

I'd guess some Grand Decider will make the call as to the social benefit and ecological utility of each good and service. Wonder who will provide these, I'd guess the Grand Decider will also decide who has to get up each morning to provide the things people need to survive.

And just who shall we trust with this awesome responsiblity and power?

Answer 5

Partial public ownership of all capital, with a profit motive.
Gradual international integration of labour and environmental laws, so it's no longer cost-effective to move a dirty industry to the next poorest country.

Very difficult to achieve, but I think it'd be possible in the long-long run.

In the meantime, the World doesn't look to be in good heath.

Answer 6

i agree with u my friend , but those in power dont and the poor which makes the overwhelming majority doesnt care, but if u get the poor educated and aggitated about the issues change can be brought about sucessful social revolutions can only be acheived by the poor

Answer 7

Someday you might understand that those three things actually work best together in capitalism - or at least our modified version of capitalism. You might want to read up on it.

Answer 8

oh come on. its too late things have gone too far not everything can be "fixed" sometimes when you let the monster out of its cage IT STAYS OUT.
wake up.... idealism is DEAD (i am sorry if you feel me to be brutal but this is reality)

Answer 9

We should become Communists so everyone is equally poor. And kill... I mean re-educate anyone who doesn't follow the party doctrine.

Answer 10

Capitalism has not failed.
Just because you are broke and unemployed dose not mean that the system is bad.