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Will capitalism be overthrown in our lifetime?

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No. Competition will always be around (in our lifetime) and if anything it is necessary as capitalism provides this - at least in the literal sense of the word.
(edited 8 years ago)
No. Western Elites have perfected population control through the use of Media, security services, finance and politics. Capitalism is an agenda which permeates all of these.
Reply 3
Avatar for Pulse.
Pulse.
18
No. Capitalism will spread and everyone will benefit as a result gradually.
We don't have capitalism. It's already been "overthrown" but not by violent revolution as Marx predicted.
Original post by The_Mighty_Bush
We don't have capitalism.


lol wot... markets, especially in the US, are about as close to completely free as is workable without being entirely abhorrent.
Original post by TheDefiniteArticle
lol wot... markets, especially in the US, are about as close to completely free as is workable without being entirely abhorrent.

Massive government spending
Bank Bailouts
Government direction of the money supply
Extensive regulation
etc.

We have corporatism with socialist elements. Capitalism is dead.
Original post by The_Mighty_Bush
Massive government spending
Bank Bailouts
Government direction of the money supply
Extensive regulation
etc.

We have corporatism with socialist elements. Capitalism is dead.


You know that it's perfectly possible to have capitalism with a strong element of state control, even with a decent amount of state regulation of markets, right?
Reply 8
Avatar for Rakas21
Rakas21
21
Probably not.

While capitalism does need amending in some countries facing low wage growth or declining property ownership or excessive debt, for the most part it is universally accepted that markets have won over the planned economy. Cuba for example had a GDP per capita on par with Italy in the 60's, yet now it is below the global average.

I suspect that capitalism as it is today (dependent on consumption to fuel employment) will get into trouble once space mining renders the cost of an array of resources near zero due to essentially unlimited supply (deflation in a consumer society slows consumption) and this may force a change (some people think robotics could also have a large effect) however there's no telling when this will happen and what model we will transition to. Certainly out to 2030 we can say that capitalism as it is today is not under any significant threat.
Original post by Rakas21

I suspect that capitalism as it is today (dependent on consumption to fuel employment) will get into trouble once space mining renders the cost of an array of resources near zero due to essentially unlimited supply (deflation in a consumer society slows consumption) and this may force a change (some people think robotics could also have a large effect) however there's no telling when this will happen and what model we will transition to. Certainly out to 2030 we can say that capitalism as it is today is not under any significant threat.


How soon do you expect space mining to be cost-effective, or indeed anywhere near easy enough that we'd have an 'essentially unlimited supply'?
Original post by ALevelBro
Capitalism is an agenda which allows you not to starve with a couple bread crumbs in the pocket, honestly, people like yourself should f*** off to the mountains and live off the land if you are so concerned about the elites ffs.


I never said I supported capitalism. It was an observation. Idiot.
Original post by TheDefiniteArticle
How soon do you expect space mining to be cost-effective, or indeed anywhere near easy enough that we'd have an 'essentially unlimited supply'?


Optimistic estimates aim for 2050 however there are several companies now aiming for it and a number of billionaires backing it.
Original post by Rakas21
Optimistic estimates aim for 2050 however there are several companies now aiming for it and a number of billionaires backing it.


2050 for fuel/manpower/tech costs to be 0?
Original post by TheDefiniteArticle
2050 for fuel/manpower/tech costs to be 0?


I think that's just when they think they can be successful at doing it probably. You'll be waiting a while to cover the huge development costs though and for firms to make profit you'll need to up the volume of production per asteroid although it's possible you could get a state run endevour given the obvious advantage of being able to supply firms in your state with resource x in near unlimited quantities.
Original post by Rakas21
I think that's just when they think they can be successful at doing it probably. You'll be waiting a while to cover the huge development costs though and for firms to make profit you'll need to up the volume of production per asteroid although it's possible you could get a state run endevour given the obvious advantage of being able to supply firms in your state with resource x in near unlimited quantities.


Okay, so probably quite a significant time until it is effectively free and almost certainly not in our lifetime.
No.

I will defend capitalism with my life. And guns. And my nuke button.
Original post by TheDefiniteArticle
Okay, so probably quite a significant time until it is effectively free and almost certainly not in our lifetime.


Indeed.
No but it may implode, leaving the super rich (with their guns, land, etc.) to pick up the pieces and form the communist state.
Original post by driftawaay
Will capitalism be overthrown in our lifetime


Iain Banks said that the only thing that will end capitalism is capitalism. All systems have their time and place then another one comes along. I think the next prevalent system will be corporate governance. We're already seeming it now with TTIP. Then all the laws and government policy will be replaced by court battles. Only the rich will be able to do as they please but their wealth will enslave them.
Original post by TheDefiniteArticle
You know that it's perfectly possible to have capitalism with a strong element of state control, even with a decent amount of state regulation of markets, right?

Then it isn't capitalism any more.

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