> Good point. I was using "capitalism" to denote a system
> of markets, exploitation (making the best use of something --
> including other people: profit) and lying (intent to deceive:
> advertising). If Feudalism did not have markets, profit,
> and advertising, then it didn't have capitalism. This shows
> that capitalism is not inevitable.
>
Interesting, by your definition - especially if you also
redefine markets and exploitation - every human society
have to be capitalist.; very imaginative
defence. However, one tries to be consistent with basic definitions,
especially if discussing a science, even if it happens to be social science.
> Nevertheless, exploiting and lying (as defined above) IS
> innate to humans -- we all do it. This is what I meant when
> I said that capitalism "fits" our kind of animal. Moreover,
> because of its "fit", capitalism has superceded all other
> economic systems.
>
So here it is - capitalism is us, there is nothing we should
do about it. Even if it kills us. Wrong and very wrong.
Firstly this "human nature" you keep refering to is not a static
thing, whatever way you happen to define it today.
People over the centuries did get more aware of exploitation,
consequently, exploitation had to become more and more indirect.
Examples: child labour is not permitted in most places,
excessive working hours etc etc are outlawed - where there is
awareness and means to bring about change for the better.
You forget, that social cooperation - a very rare animal feature,
and none without conscious plan - worked more for human
advancement, than anything else. That describes human society
far more universally than your exploitation and lying.
If the system threatens the survival or the sense of justice of people,
they change it together. Animals don't do that.
If the wealth produced in abundance, there is no need to compete for
it, so there is no reason for exploitation of people by people,
and if we cooperate, we may look after our resources, too.
We are at this exciting
stage now.
> If you can figure how to make a stick into a weapon, then you
> are exploiting.
We have options - and stuff like that happened
before: people throw weapons away and make peace.
Or even make something useful out of them.
>If you suck in your gut when a pretty girl
> walks by, then you are lying. It's innate -- we all do it.
>
I don't! But I am too busy to pretend that I am a pretty girl...
So we are all evil, only capitalism is good for such liers...
>
> Jay -- http://dieoff.org/page1.htm
>
>
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
