What every environmentalist needs to know about capitalism
Submitted by James on Tue, 10/26/2010 - 10:52am
Not only do the free-market extremists have it wrong when it comes to the practicalities of day-to-day life, they also have it wrong when it comes to the Very Big Picture. When we operate as though the only thing that matters in the world is money, we get a world where that is sadly the case.
The incestuous connection that exists today between business interests, politics, and law is reasonably apparent to most observers. These include outright bribery, to the more subtle sorts of buying access, friendship, and influence through campaign contributions and lobbying efforts. In addition, a culture develops among political leaders based on the precept that what is good for capitalist business is good for the country.
Hence, political leaders increasingly see themselves as political entrepreneurs, or the counterparts of economic entrepreneurs, and regularly convince themselves that what they do for corporations to obtain the funds that will help them get reelected is actually in the public interest. Within the legal system, the interests of capitalists and their businesses are given almost every benefit.
Given the power exercised by business interests over the economy, state, and media, it is extremely difficult to effect fundamental changes that they oppose. It therefore makes it next to impossible to have a rational and ecologically sound energy policy, health care system, agricultural and food system, industrial policy, trade policy, and education system.
Anti-Capitalism
So I got tricked into attending a Socialist meeting recently (Some of you are probably thinking, "Sure you got tricked, Steve"). I'm having lunch with Person B (whom I have known for years) and Person C (whom I just met), and after hearing me whine about the coal monster for a few minutes, C mentions a published author/ environmentalist who's giving a talk that I really shouldn't miss.
Now, C assumes I know what's up, but B knows damn well that I don't, so a few days later as we're approaching the door to the gathering, B says, "Before we go in, there's something you should know..." Adding to the list of things that B will pay for when I can concoct a suitable plan of retribution. ;)
Dogma aside, and clumsily-drawn symbolism aside, the case against Capitalism (environmentally speaking) was pretty strong. To be honest, it was more an expose' of the poisonous effects of consumerism and materialism (resources used, toxins emitted), and how corporations could never be relied upon as true environmental stewards.
What's funny is: real Socialists laugh harder than anybody when they hear Tea Partiers bemoan the looming Socialist Revolution. They know, better than anybody, that Capitalism reigns supreme in this country, and that government (for the most part) serves that reigning master. If anybody is threatening liberty and free market opportunities, it's the mega-corporations themselves.