"[N]o system or machinery or economic doctrine or theory stands on its own feet: it is invariably built on a metaphysical foundation, that is to say, upon man's basic outlook on life, its meaning and its purpose. I have talked about the religion of economics, the idol worship of material possessions, of consumption and the so-called standard of living, and the fateful propensity that rejoices in the fact that 'what were luxuries to our fathers have become necessities for us.'
"Systems are never more no less than incarnations of man's most basic attitudes. . . . General evidence of material progress would suggest that the modern private enterprise system is--or has been--the most perfect instrument for the pursuit of personal enrichment. The modern private enterprise system ingeniously employs the human urges of greed and envy as its motive power, but manages to overcome the most blatant deficiencies of laissez-faire by means of Keynesian economic management, a bit of redistributive taxation, and the 'countervailing power' of the trade unions.
"Can such a system conceivably deal with the problems we are now having to face? The answer is self-evident: greed and envy demand continuous and limitless economic growth of a material kind, without proper regard for conservation, and this type of growth cannot possibly fit into a finite environment. We must therefore study the essential nature of the private enterprise system and the possibilities of evolving an alternative system which might fit the new situation."
Next, a second essay in as many days from commondreams.org , about how our delusions about limitless economic growth will smash into the inescapable limits of the ecosystem: "Cash of the Titans: against the Noxious Fantasy of Limitless Growth" -
The concept of endless economic growth, accepted as sacrosanct by both U.S. mainstream political parties, and internalized as the dominant mode of mind by the general population of the corporate/consumer state is mirrored in the exponential mathematics of a malignancy.
Cancer, if given voice, would proclaim itself to be a believer in "free market values"…devoted to the principle of endless growth…until, of course, it would silence its own voice by killing its host.
Likewise, all life seeks limits or prematurely dooms itself.
The same holds true with addiction to unlimited economic expansion…the craving for incessant ascension is, in fact, a doomed Icarusian flight.
Capitalism, like other faith-based delusions, requires that we suspend our disbelief and embrace the most nonsensical ideas. It is too obviously true: the world's current six-billion people cannot all live the consumerist monstrosity that we're told is our birthright (subject to capitalism's continued interest in extending to us either jobs or credit). That this still needs to be argued is yet another indictment of the culture produced by capitalism.
7 comments:
Great post. Thanks. This reality isn't lost on those driving growth but it doesn't seem we're aware of their intended response either. Some, such as Naomi Klein, maintain that, when the house of cards collapses, those who built it will try to corner the market for allocation, capitalist rationing.
The World Water Council with giants from Nestle to Vivendi gaming to exploit the shortage opportunity is probably a blueprint of what is to come. And let us never forget the emergence of corporate warfighting industries that stand to make out like bandits in a world in upheaval.
By driving growth to unsustainable levels wherever possible are they not simply creating their next captive markets?
I've heard inklings that our elites delude themselves that they'll be able to manage the unnecessary catastrophes that they're bringing upon us.
But all their spy networks, weapons, etc., are very expensive. Things will get even more expensive with shortages.
If only I could know that I would live long enough to watch the selfish assholes go down and go down painfully hard ...
They began with gated communities that have since morphed into gated municipalities with their own security, fire and utility services. Sort of like the castles of old where the nobility lived in safety and comfort behind the walls while the serfs sought protection in squalid conditions outside.
Maybe that's what is coming. The undoing of "liberte, egalite, fraternite". The right today (which is decidedly a radical right) recoils at the very mention of a social compact. They're working very hard to suppress it which may be why the pendulum is meeting such resistance as it seeks to swing back to the left.
Just look at the instruments the right has placed in the path of restoration, particularly a fully corporatized mass media.
Global governments are becoming one party systems run by financiers who institute the same repressive policies. Like a fashion leader, China, because of its success, is becoming the model of enterprise. Closed, highly structured, buddhist in theology (convenient) lock step in its focus. Australia, U.K., Canada, U.S. India, all have internet spying, standing armies, controlled media publications. Seems as though the coalitions which formed for world order just morphed into global coalitions of economic order. Until protectionism, voting changes, corporations taxed, huge revision of environmental controls placed upon property takes place, we will go the route of destruction. U.K. is making gains in environment of necessity. I'm surprised Australia and Canada were so quick to turn to the dark side.
...yet here we are sitting in our nice heated homes discussing this issue on our nice little laptops.....all products of capitalism.
sailsmart,
I saw a map of the world with a colour code for the extent of state surveillance of individuals, and the USA, Canada, UK and India were among the worst places in the world for government spying.
Anonymous,
I published that shit-for-brains comment of yours simply for its entertainment value.
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