I'm a believer in the fact that capitalism and conservationism or even environmentalism can coexist and even benefit from each others' wellbeing.
What you guys think?
2007-11-29 17:18:56 · 8 answers · asked by Armand N 1 in Environment ➔ Other - Environment
They are not necessarily mutually exclusive but today's laisez-faire, monopolistic capitalism may be. Today's corporate capitalism has become focused on short term profit and is using political advantage to destroy competition. This is an unstable system which ignores long term viability and sustainability. Today corporations do not care if the run themselves into the ground in 5, 10 or 20 years. It's all about next quarters profits.
A truly competive capitalist system (also known as a well regulated capitalist system) would naturally be interested in long term viability and sustainability which would naturally fit with environmental goals.
2007-11-29 22:36:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No Capitalism is good for the environment. Capitalism is what allows corporations to make pollution a multi billion dollar business.
Compare Capitalist countries with other countries.
Who has the better environments? Norway, France, Canada and the USA or China, Viet Nam, Egypt, and Bangladesh?
People demand cleaner products. The free market delivers.
2007-11-30 01:42:41 · answer #2 · answered by Dr Jello 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. In a non-industrial society, they might be compatible. Genuine libertarianism, which is not what we've got now, might also work. Capitalism as it is now is not though.
The main issue is individual conscience more than conventional politics. However, if political systems were more locally organised, that would mean no-one irresponsible or power-hungry would get to cause that much damage.
It seems that if there are large organisations of any kind, there is a problem, so a planet dominated either by multinationals or by state bureaucracies is likely to run into trouble unless everyone in it has an impeccable conscience.
2007-11-29 23:43:16 · answer #3 · answered by grayure 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, but you need government assistance.
The US is a great example. Surely both one of the more capitalistic societies, and one of the more environmental.
But things were pretty bad in the 60s for environmentalism (and not that great for capitalism). The US government passed a whole lot of environmental laws. Things got better for the environment. And (funny thing) capitalism kept roaring full speed ahead. In spite of industry (and right wingers) whining.
2007-11-29 17:56:16 · answer #4 · answered by Bob 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, more capitalists just need to realize there are many jobs in environmentalism too. They also need to realize that some things cannot be measured in dollars, often because no dollar amount can compare to them, such as peace, health and happiness. Oh, and a sustainable environment too.
2007-11-29 18:11:39 · answer #5 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no- not at all. capitalism is all about the money rather dollars only with no care and value for humanity. And BOB Americans have ruined the whole world by draging the world with them which is sad enough. I personaly hate capitalism.
2007-11-30 01:36:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
they can coexist but capitalism and environmentalism are completely separate. capitalism is free market and profit driven while environmentalism is not profit driven and requires that restrictions be put on companies disrupting the free market.
2007-11-29 18:57:41 · answer #7 · answered by Gengi 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you may be confusing capitalism with consumerism. Capitalism just goes wherever the money is
2007-11-29 19:41:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋