The Way Forward?

The Way Forward?

Lets face it capitalism has had its day. People are absolutely fed up with it. Corruption, ill treatment of workers, no consideration for consumers, no consideration for the welfare of animals, no consideration full stop - all can be attributed to chasing the almighty buck. Not hard to find a book where exploitation is seen on a massive scale in all it's cruel, yet fascinating beauty, with the contents becoming boldly imprinted permanently on your enlightened, troubled mind. Reading such books can leave you with a negative view of the human race. Some books describe greed in such detail you can feel ashamed to be called a human being.

Lets look at the affect of capitalism on today's wonderful market place. Who wants to be in the EU for instance with regard to some politicians? Have you seen the amount of money you can earn in a top position? Let me put it like this: the wage bill for the EU is around 8% of the EU budget - an humongous amount, and the tax you have to pay is a lot less than in this country for instance. Not only that but big business are carrying out backroom deals left right and center. No voting on these transactions - nothing to stop huge money being thrown around and all in the name of what exactly? A lot of people are lining their pockets big time. It is one big gravy train of mega proportions. But, of course, it can be justified because 'lining your pocket' is part and parcel of being successful under the capitalist umbrella.

Sod the EU, lets take a look closer to home - take BHS for example. How come this company has been allowed to go to the wall? The company was acquired for just £1 by a load of brokers and lawyers who instantly began to bleed the well established company dry. BHS pensions? Who knows where that lot went? Some £500,000,000 (5 hundred million) of it went somewhere. Do the people behind the collapse give a fig about the 11,000 works on the books? Why should we complain about their behaviour anyway after all ain't they following the precepts of capitalism - to make money any which way you can?

Never ending instances where the pursuit of money has resulted in ignoble and dishonourable behaviour from people who should know better - people who are responsible for others many the time. Therefore we need something different; a form of capitalism that benefits all rather than the one. There is a template we could use for this - one drawn up by John Lewis for example.

Here we have a partnership that benefits all the workers whilst not undermining the driving force that capitalism is known for. Nothing beats capitalism for developing a backward country, or for generating new business and so on: someone, somewhere has to make money for their efforts. Therefore we do not need to make everything state owned as that just breeds worker torpor (no reason to work hard). What we should consider doing is to make concerns worker owned. This is where the future is for a thriving economy. One where people will try harder to please, work harder to help the business succeed, be wealthier (hopefully) and who knows maybe even happier.

To carry on as we are going will be our undoing. People are not stupid. They can see the uncaring attitude - how can they not see it as it is spat in their faces each and every day. They know they account for nothing in the big scheme of things. Such realisation can hurt to such an extent they want something different, some way of life where they do mean something - step in religion, and extreme beliefs. Suddenly you are no longer alone - bingo another convert.

We need to change our ideas about money making and soon.

Re: The Way Forward?

Apart from the "capitalism has had its day" - I should cocoa - I quite agree with you MKJ.
You talk a lot of sense in this post - but don't expect the majority of "I'm alright Jack", right wing old folk on here, to agree with you.

Re: The Way Forward?

I agree, An interview with John Timpson on his Desert Island Discs was one of the most enlightening things ive heard recently. A self effacing man who goes out of his way to help his workforce.

He empowers his employees,engages 25% of his workers from ex convicts, we need more of his kind. I feel the reverse is true.

Re: The Way Forward?

Well, I'm right wing leaning and oldish but I agree with MKJ, we need to change the way things are done.

Re: The Way Forward?

More agreement from me.


But how will change come about? I can only think Revolution, which is a scarey proposition but maybe, just maybe, new technology can supply a blood-free solution?

Re: The Way Forward?

Some rather broad statements there Mark, and painting everyone with the same brush is never pretty. You seen to confuse greed with capitalism but they are, in fact, two very different beasts

Capitalism is a necessary evil and the driving force required to re-invest in a business which allows it to grow and benefit all associated with it. Anyone in employment and receiving a wage is the beneficiary of capitalism, and the money it generates for the economy through taxes to fund all of the welfare services that we all enjoy could not be found using any other system.

Greed, on the other hand, can be found anywhere in society, from the boardroom of the largest company down to the looters in a riot.

I ran my own business for most of my working life and the benefits of my business were shared by all, profit for it's own sake was never my god nor my driving force, and I like to think that in business there are more like me than otherwise.

There are many bad apples out there yes, but it is a folly to think that you can solve all of society's problems by killing the golden goose which in fact nourishes the whole of society.

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You are so right. I was aware of many a contradiction but in amongst my ramblings there was something forming in my mind - a way to blend the opposing major political parties. As we lurch from the right to the left and vice versa with each attacking what the other has stood for - mainly capitalism and communism - allowing workers to part-own businesses would, or should, satisfy both. It doesn't answer many a problem though with regard to greedy people but empowering people might well have a knock on effect. Could be the start of something worthwhile.

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So whats the alternative to capitalism, socialism like in Venezuela where we now have rationing of food, Five day work week reduce to four because of no electricity. A total lack of nedicines and higiene. A control state where the leaders speak of equalty and spend most of the time ripping the country off with off shore accounts. Or how about Cuba ? Another so called Socialist country where the leaders live like kings while the people starve to death. Thats why this month alone over 5000 Cubans have left their country a top of raggedy vessels to our shore of Miami risking their lives for liberty and freedom.

A perfect system does not exist. So in the imperfection of it all I'll go with capitalism where no one controls me and I have the liberty to decide where, what and how I invest my money

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There can never be a perfect solution, at least not for long ...
IMO, greed/corruption fairly quickly overtakes any worthwhile project.

As they say 'rubbish rises to the top'.

Maybe the solution is to change the system every few years and hope to stay one step ahead.

Re: The Way Forward?

Great post Mark.