What is better than Capitalism?

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Dog 3000 D
Dog 3000 Sep 9, 2003 02:16:50
Replying to morfe lux

Technology abrogates the "finite" resources on the planet. As Monkeyboy said on another thread, agriculture has improved to the point where we need very few farmers in order to feed everybody. Similarly improved energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy (like solar power, which isn't going to run out anytime soon) means that the finite amount of oil and coal is not a limiting factor either. In short, living standards can rise without creating more resources. Technology is the key.

I think the "overpopulation" argument is overdone too. There is plenty of room for more people in many parts of the world. In the long run "overpopulation" is a self-correcting problem anyway. When it is impossible to feed new mouths, people will stop having babies (or worse, babies born will not live.)

And again, I don't see how overpopulation is related to "capitalism." "Capitalist" countries tend to have lower birthrates.

M morfe lux
morfe lux Sep 9, 2003 03:24:32
Replying to Dog 3000

You can't 'abrogate' finite resources, you can only adopt sustainability/renewabilty. I'm not so worried that we are going to suffer because of our voracity and dependence on oil, that's pretty much a foregone conclusion (where's Grufty Jim, anyone??), and I agree that the world population isn't something that capitalism is responsible for, but continuous growth and expansionist mentality IS likely to be a problem. What I am worried about is the race for consumerism (so far oil-fuelled for nearly a century) is a 'party' that has to stop. I believe that the inherent short-termism of market-led planning (which is a bit of an oxymoron I agree) is going to meet it's maker (oil) on the way out and have nowhere to go? Sustainable energy cannot meet our current demand, nor will it, if the figures are correct. War for oil is an ever present fact and future likelihood in an economy built top heavy on that product alone?