Capitalism is NOT...

in #capitalism2 months ago (edited)

Capitalism is NOT corporatism.
Capitalism is NOT cronyism.
Capitalism is NOT protectionism.
Capitalism is NOT mercantilism.
Capitalism is NOT a fiat-financial system built on (State) incorporation.
Capitalism is NOT economic liberalism.
Capitalism is NOT even the opposite of Marxism or socialism or communism or fascism ('anarchism' or 'free market society' or 'natural law society' are good accurate phrases that represent the opposite of Marxism / socialism / communism / fascism).

In other words, capitalism is NOT any State-controlled economic system (even ones that allow limited degrees of free market interaction).

Capitalism describes the observed human phenomena of the saving of one's produce for tool-building ("capital" goods creation) or for future, possibly joint, entrepreneurial endeavors. Even extremely high time preference people are seen to exhibit this phenomenon. Capitalism is most clearly seen in free(r) markets, aka anarchist society.

(Therefore, technically speaking, capitalism is also NOT exactly synonymous with free market society -- capitalism describes human phenomena, while "free market" or "anarchism" is a term that describes a society that rejects special privileged law breakers, aka government).

...likewise...

Capitalism is NOT consumerism.
Capitalism is NOT materialism.
Capitalism is NOT greed.
Capitalism is NOT the love of money.
Capitalism is NOT atomistic individualism.
Capitalism is NOT modernism.
Capitalism is NOT liberalism (conservatism) or progressivism.

In other words, capitalism does not imply any negative moral value (modern or otherwise) and neither does it imply any positive moral value per se.

To reiterate, capitalism is merely observed human phenomena. It is like "mating", "child-rearing", "working", "playing", etc. Each of those natural human actions can be used for good or evil ends.

However, to be an "anti-capitalist" is an explicitly immoral position -- since it presumes the legitimacy of blanket prohibitions against certain natural human behavior that are necessary for many good ends.

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Anarchy or totalitarianism. This is the only political axis that matters. Authoritarianism will cloak itself under any excuses it can, but the end is always the same.