Message-ID: <199701191757.JAA13640@anditel.andinet.lat.net> Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 09:57:03 +0000 From: Reinaldo Vicini <mailto:interext@ANDITEL.ANDINET.LAT.NET> Subject: Capitalism: Personal Conclusion To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dear friends:My unacademical conclusion to this discussion regarding capitalism is:
1. Many theorists despice it but do not want out, it is perhaps easier or more comfortable to be in it and enjoy it. No economic system is perfect but I certainly prefer the one where, based on certain parameters, I have the choice to do with my life whatever I want. And I cannot afford -I clarify it-, as a member of a developing country to blame the multinationals, the corrupted governments, the political system, etc... It is me. at the end who makes the choices and has a moral resposability to help others.
2. Unfortunely, freedom of speech is understood as "let us bash your opponent", another degradation of the individualist spirit *without* any regulations, like in the pure and individualist capitalist system soem of you describe. Isn't it?
3. Theorists do not make an economic system. Adam Smith and David Ricardo DID NOT invent Capitalism, they just studied it. Massive behaviours of individuals define a system. Then, isn't what we have the result of a natural behaviour of most individuals? It is correct that it needs lots of regulation because some people tend to disgrace others. Period
4. In the past the things were better? Ahh? What about the exploitation of english workers in the industrial revolution; The French Revolution; what about the exploitation of indians in America as slave of the spanish conquerors; far back, what about the Feudal System in Europe; far back, the Roman Empire; far back Babylonia; and then, back to what history could not record due to the lack of written word... We are humans and our these -unfortunely- are our characteristics. However, while knowledge increases, a more conscient world is rising. If not, look at this list where people is conscious about those problems.
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