How can we get on a better economic system? One that isn't so "growth" dependent?

Question

We know why "pure" capitalism failed. We also know "pure" communism never existed. Socialist regimes have been discouraging, too.
Today, it seems that America has a market driven "socialism" going on..........and I think it's pretty good. However, it occurs to me that success here only results from competition and the promise of ever greater wealth, promotions, or (fill-in-the-blank). All these things are tied to sales "growth".
How can we continue to live well, meet our future goals, have "ENOUGH" and get off of this "GROWTH" standard we're addicted too?
Considering the global warming that is occuring, the future of our planet may depend on it!

Answer 1

In the near term, growth might be the best solution to global warming, since wealthy economies, by definition, have greater resources to combat the negative effects of global warming, such as rebuilding after storms, moving populations, designing better energy systems, etc. Consider how much worse floods and hurricanes are in Bangladesh, say, than the Gulf Coast, in terms of lives lost.
However, you are absolutely correct that in the long term, we will have to get used to an economy that is not growing, since it cannot grow indefinitely. We are so wedded to a constantly rising stockmarket, housing prices, salary increases, productivity increases, etc that I don' t think we would take a stagnant economy. However, that day could literally be hundreds of years off. As technology improves, worker productivity increases and thus so does the economy, even with a stable population.
The really interesting thing will be what happens when the global population starts shrinking, near the end of the century (Japan and some European countries are already shrinking).

Answer 2

Competition in a free market encourages innovation and creativity. This, in turn leads to great inventions, like the one you are typing on, and the automobile, and cheap telephone service.

The reason that US automakers are struggling is that they aren't adapting to the market. They are building big SUV's and gas-guzzlers that nobody wants to buy. The Japanese are building great cars over there (and here too) and they are selling. Detroit needs to wake up and listen to the consumer:that's what capitalism is all about- Making the strong survive and the weak get bought out or go bankrupt.

People who innovate, or adjust to market changes will survive and flourish. Communism doesn't work. The Pilgrims tried it when they first landed at Plymouth Rock, and almost half of them died.

The next year, each Pilgrim was given a plot of land to build a home on and plant crops, and the town started to recover. Goods were sold and traded, so productivity and capitalism (in its purist form) really works.

We have the greatest system in the world, with over $16 TRILLION in GDP. Top that!

Answer 3

Simple, find people who are not interested in having a better standard of living, people who do not adopt new innovations, people who are totally satisfied with the status quo, etc, and build a society around them.

Since even chattering liberal environmentalists use things like cell phones and the Internet and new automotive technology just as much as they rest of us uncaring capitalists, they certainly depend on "growth", so they're no help. By the way, you clearly don't have the courage of your convictions if you're using Yahoo.

I think you need to look to the Amish. Become an Amish.

Answer 4

What is your basis for saying that "pure" capitalism failed? Remember, this isn't exactly a pure capitalist country. This country (USA) is a hampered market economy. The economy is hindered a great deal by taxation and government regulation. Those are the main problems with the US economy, too much socialism, not a lack of it.

Answer 5

If you take away the motivations for innovation, you harm the rate of development. This is why things are demand driven and why those who innovate are paid.

Answer 6

wot da hell are you talkimg about? mate you should start going to school, start reading about economics if u want to know about it, but this qustion dooenst even make sense ur just waffling. isnt so growth dependent lmao...

Answer 7

read books from scientists not politicians and actors. you fking moron.