General Discussion

Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)

25. Don't blame capitalism, at least not exclusively.

Thu May 2, 2013, 02:29 PM

May 2013

If you require a certain standard of living (either maintaining at least the current average, or making sure that everyone has "enough" per the OP), then any economic system plus population growth equals economic growth.

In a world of stable population, it might well be that the capitalist push for profit would still result in economic growth, with or without an improved standard of living for most people. If that happens, then you can blame capitalism -- but our current world is not one of stable population.

I'm not saying that the choice of economic system should be ignored. I'm saying only that population issues must also be taken into account.

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The economics of enough [View all] marmar May 2013 OP

Fails at the individual level. GreenStormCloud May 2013 #1

Ever wonder WHY you want more stuff than you currently have? truebluegreen May 2013 #2

I agree with you. However, the capitalist way survives on wanting more. snappyturtle May 2013 #3

It STILL fails on the individual level. strategery blunder May 2013 #4

I certainly didn't intend to target those who do not have 'enough'. snappyturtle May 2013 #7

Who gets to decide what I need? GreenStormCloud May 2013 #34

why the heck do you want a year round job? hfojvt May 2013 #11

Excellent point(s). nt SunSeeker May 2013 #12

I agree. truebluegreen May 2013 #5

I again agree. However, tptb would contend, I think, that sustainable snappyturtle May 2013 #9

+1 Blue_Tires May 2013 #18

There is a good reason why most consumer electronics aren't repaired anymore. GreenStormCloud May 2013 #35

You forgot the war machine. L0oniX May 2013 #21

Fundamental misunderstandings like what you're demonstrating is is why we're fucked. harmonicon May 2013 #14

Thats what I was thinking DJ13 May 2013 #27

Tell it to "investors." moondust May 2013 #6

They need to address population. Jim Lane May 2013 #8

Economic growth has little to nothing to do with providing for people. harmonicon May 2013 #16

Don't blame capitalism, at least not exclusively. Jim Lane May 2013 #25

Population growth does not necessarily guarantee economic growth. harmonicon May 2013 #26

That's why my stated assumptions included maintaining some standard of living. Jim Lane May 2013 #29

Economic growth has nothing to do with the size of the pie necessarily. harmonicon May 2013 #30

There are limits to that kind of substitution. Jim Lane May 2013 #37

That's just one example. harmonicon May 2013 #38

I don't buy it. Cary May 2013 #10

one of the problems is mentioned right here hfojvt May 2013 #13

lower interest rates will stimulate an economy DJ13 May 2013 #28

Stupid-assed idea Dreamer Tatum May 2013 #15

It's not the idea presented here that is stupid. harmonicon May 2013 #17

I get the point perfectly, thanks. Dreamer Tatum May 2013 #19

"forever" ...oh yea with those infinite resources. Keep dreaming. L0oniX May 2013 #20

I get that that's a fallacy, and evidence of that being a fallacy was presented in the article. harmonicon May 2013 #22

WTF? ..... Incoherent babble. marmar May 2013 #33

i am in the business of sideways. recycling stuff for ebay. pansypoo53219 May 2013 #23

Tried everything EXCEPT Demand stimulus !!! When will supply siders admit their theory is a failure? on point May 2013 #24

"despite the best efforts of all concerned" = bullshit. uk has pursued austerity, that's why no HiPointDem May 2013 #31

grow or die for this virus like species. galileoreloaded May 2013 #32

You are correct. GreenStormCloud May 2013 #36