What people mean when they use the term is as varied as much as the context in which the term is used. There is without a doubt a new term needed which expresses the "new" capitalism. The old was cut and dry, black and white, the simple buy and sell, production and profit based on what a market would bear. The new capitalism is integrated with socialism and the liberal attitude.
Part of capitalism is socialism in the form of charitable foundations and philanthropic endeavors aside from the social benefits within most capitalist structures, that being economic growth. Capitalism creates jobs which results in spending which generates and supports peripheral businesses that ultimately create more jobs. The flaws of capitalism are mostly attributed to distribution of capital gain fueled by greedy participants in the chain of command. Much more can be said but we can see how capitalism is contributing to food stamps programs and supporting those who are in need. Unfortunately there are those corporations that operate with pimp mentality; taking it all and only providing the basic necessities to those that do the work which of course contributes to the process by which people become needy. Capitalism has been evolving through reform. We have put in place several checks and balances such as child labor and safety laws etc, it's not what it was a hundred years ago. Capitalism and Socialism will by necessity become dependent upon each other. Capitalism must support it's Socialist side in order for it to survive; dead people don't bring in profits. Society needs food, clothing, shelter, transportation etc and Capitalism must see to it that these commodities are affordable; society is the life blood of any corporation. Capitalism has learned from history that success cannot be achieved through the oppression of it's people. Corporations today are retooling their operations in many ways to accommodate employee needs and are adopting more liberal attitudes towards employee compensation and involvement. With many more women in the work force it only makes sense to have an in-house child care center. Work schedules are getting more flexible and dress codes have become lax. Some match a percentage of contributions to a retirement program and offer employee profit sharing opportunity. Many corporations have relocation packages that pay for house hunting trips with food and rental car allowance and then pay for the packing and shipping of all the household goods as well as the vehicle transport. This is all Capitalistic Socialism with a Liberalism tone. So are the old applications of capitalism as a term valid? Hip capitalist? Capitalist pig? Fat cat capitalist? Capitalism is working but not without the addition of Socialist values. The liberalism is simply an individual choice and probably reflects the overall attitude of the corporation, the less rigid approach to the business world. Now it's dress down Fridays and walking barefoot around the office. I for one am glad to see the overhaul and think the future looks better than ever. On Sep 4, 10:17 am, ashok tewari <[email protected]> wrote: > little time ? ! ... indeed. > > But that's not the issue I'd highlighted, Fran. It was about " what *people > mean when they use the term* ' capitalism.' " Not how it means in Das > Kapital. > > On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 7:25 PM, frantheman <[email protected]>wrote: > > > > > Well, if anyone's got a little time on their hands, here's an > > introduction to the subject of capitalism :-) > > >http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Das_Kapital > > > Francis > > > On Sep 3, 7:56 pm, Vam <[email protected]> wrote: > > > I do sense an aspect of timelessness in the platform, on which people > > > with fundamental questions or doubts met and discoursed to clarify. > > > > What happened was people began ' arriving ' at their fixed and > > > hardened perspectives, views or values. Which makes an open > > > conversation impossible, for there is mere reiteration of known > > > positions. Like, it would be disappointing if we came to clear the > > > ground and found it littered with buildings of all sorts, including > > > those one may disagree with or dislike. > > > > I believe the developments take nothing away from the timelessness of > > > ME. But we need to go back to discussing fundamental issues, aspects > > > or terms. For instances, I am till date intrigued by what people mean > > > when they use the term ' capitalism.' Ideally, the user should be able > > > to enlighten us with all ideate dimensions to the term - practice, > > > structure, economic values system, moral values, ethical values, and > > > way - of - life beliefs and philosophy. > > > > The discussion would of course veer to alternate systems and > > > philosophies ... and so on. The participants definitely make their own > > > informed or cultural choices along the way. Life itself clarifies the > > > rest of the way. And perhaps the discourse gets upgraded ... > > > sometime ... if there are enough interested members to infuse life !! > > -- > ASHOK TEWARI
