Capitalism as we know it today is inherently harmful to the environment?
Recent studies by Jared Diamond (Collapse, Guns Germs n Steel) and Peter Barnes (Capitalism 3.0) have shown that capitalism as we know it today depletes the resource base upon which humans survive. We are on an unsustainable course.
There is a near unanimous agreement among ecologists, environmentalists and other scientists that climate change and the destruction of the environment will create huge political instability in the future (Read the recent AP report about how the Pentagon is already planning for environmentally induced political instability in the third world).
In Jared Diamond’s “Collapse” he studies many ancient societies like the Maya, Easter Island deplete their resource base, destroy their environment and eventually collapse. This is now happening on a global scale today.
A solution offered by Peter Barnes in Capitalism 3.0 is the creation of the commons, as in ownership of the all the basic resources by society: water, forests, ores etc. This way companies that want to profit will first have to pay for the depletion of these resources, and also pay for the amount of pollution they create. Thus the free market is kept intact, but upgraded to save the environment.
What do you guys think?
JUST FOR CLARIFICATION:
This is NOT communism. Communist societies simply owned the means of production (corporations), but they still destroyed the environment. This is a new version of capitalism, because both you and I and everyone else loves a free market.
Sugar Rush: Jared Diamond is one the most revered anthropologists ever. Read the books I mentioned and you will see that these are clear facts.
Suggestion by Coriolanus
Yeah, unbridled “capitalism” is inherently harmful to a lot more things than the environment.
_Guns, Germs, and Steel_: great book, BTW. Bet you couldn’t get an anti-intellectual conservative to read it for a hundred bucks.
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Um, hey, d-bags, China isn’t “communist” anymore, no matter how much you like to throw around words you can’t define. They’re authoritarian. Since the mid-’80s, they’ve enthusiastically adopted pretty much all the trappings of free-market society – a system which, incidentally, lives in perfect harmony with dictatorships.
God, people are brilliant.
Suggestion by in vino veritas
I completely agree with your original statement.
I also agree Mr. Barnes has a good plan, as well.
Suggestion by dwoodall
I think those two socialists are batshyte crazy.
There is a way out of “Sin.” Would you like to know what it is?
Romans 8: 1-2 If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished. The Holy spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death.
Would you like to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life? (Please pray this prayer) Lord, come into my life and save me from my sins. I believe you are the Son of God.
If you are not ready today consider your future. Read Chapter 8 of Romans it will help you make a decision.
Have a wonderful blessed day.
For God so love the world, that He gave His begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Suggestion by Leo
Thanks for the 2 points.
Suggestion by Red
I’ve got a better way, I just don’t believe in sin. And I don’t believe in your silly stupid imaginary friends born of fear and ignorance. And to top it off, I hold no respect or reverence for you or your beliefs.
I have nothing but contempt for you and your willful ignorance disgusts me.
Suggestion by tylertxanreborn
Actually the knowledge and understanding that “sin” is a human construct—a construct wrapped up in power and greed–once you understand that–you understand the way out of sin is to understand there is no such thing as sin.
Clik here to view.
Are these quotes really from Thomas Jefferson?
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe
Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson
Very Interesting Quote:
In light of the present financial crisis, it’s interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
‘I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.
Suggestion by Jim G
I can’t say for certain that all of these quotes are from Jefferson. However, I am certain that each one is a warning that we are not paying attention to.
Suggestion by hiztreebuff
Yes, those quotes are really from Thomas Jefferson.
Suggestion by Melissa Me
Some are and some are kind of grey. As in they can find no proof that he said or wrote these things.
http://www.jeffersonpapers.org/library/reference/spurious.html
By the way, I didn’t read all of the quotes you listed. They go around in emails a lot and I happened to have gotten one of these emails last week. I just tend to fact check anything that is mass emailed. Mass email=propaganda.
Clik here to view.
i need to learn some economics, what should i read now?
I am major in English, and i am wanna to work in an international company in the near future. i need to learn something about economics and traning, what should i read to learn some economic myself in my free time?
Suggestion by Legally Brunettes(K and J and T)
Economics for Dummies
Suggestion by SDD
Basic Economics 4th Ed: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy
Suggestion by dwp
To know the basics I would use A level Economics revision guides as they are really helpful in summarising all the points.
The ‘Wealth of Nations’ by Adam Smith is the classic book but it can be complex and it is 300 years old!
Freakonomics and the Undercover Economist are good books, but they relate more to specific ideas like the link between abortion and crime rather than the economy as a whole.