THERE ARENO RICH PEOPLEIN THE WORLD

The Economyas Social Institution

Defining Economy

• The social institution that governs the management, production, and distribution of human material resources (goods, services, raw materials, and the things we need for survival).

Types of Economic Systems:

Capitalism

• A way of organizing economic life based on:– Private ownership of productive property– Profit as incentive– Competition between actors in “free markets”– Prices are driven by supply and demand– Relationship between employer and employee is

based on surplus value

Socialism

• An economic system in which the raw materials and the means of producing and distributing goods and services are collectively owned

• Based on the belief that everyone should share equally in the goods and services produced by society

Mixed Economies

• Economies that combine features of capitalist and socialist systems, including both the public and private ownership of property and limits on free-market competition.

"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you aren't allowed to criticize"

-- Voltaire (1694-1778)

In a relatively free society, whose control is based on ideological

hegemony, we might say,

"To learn what rules over you, simply find out what you are

highly discouraged (threatened with severe social ostracism)

from criticizing."

We’re gonna deconstruct and criticize CAPITALISM

just a little bit

We all already know the benefits of capitalism, right?

Let’s list some!

Capitalism as a Constructed Reality:

Ideology and the Culture of Capitalism

• “Naturalizes” a social construct– Economic rules are understood as “the way it is”– Myths are reinforced as “reality”• E.g. “Free Markets”

– Facilitates social control (through consent)– Wealth is evidence of success, poverty is a sign of

failure to achieve

Implications of “Naturalized” Capitalism:• Market values trump human values– E.g. Tobacco companies, vacant houses, etc.

• Produces quiescent workers– Quiescent = “at rest,” someone who is docile, not agitated

• Public goods become private property– E.g. Enclosure movement, privatization of water, healthcare, etc.

• Structural problems treated as personal issues– E.g. Poverty, unemployment, etc.

• Alternative economic arrangements are not even considered– E.g. Healthcare reform debate

Dilemmas of Capitalism

• Clean air vs. national sovereignty

Kyoto Protocol

Dilemmas of Capitalism

• Clean air vs. national sovereignty• Property rights vs. human rights

Dilemmas of Capitalism

• Clean air vs. national sovereignty• Property rights vs. human rights• Needs of market vs. needs of people

Nike factory in Vietnam

Dilemmas of Capitalism

• Clean air vs. national sovereignty• Property rights vs. human rights• Needs of market vs. needs of people• Public health vs. private profit

Dilemmas of Capitalism

• Clean air vs. national sovereignty• Property rights vs. human rights• Needs of market vs. needs of people• Public health vs. private profit• Intellectual property vs. art

Dilemmas of Capitalism

• Clean air vs. national sovereignty• Property rights vs. human rights• Needs of market vs. needs of people• Public health vs. private profit• Intellectual property vs. art • Trees vs. Jobs

Inequality is an inevitable consequence of capitalism.

But the level of inequality we are willing to tolerate is up to us.

We are currently experiencing nearly the highest rate of

inequality since 1929.

Inequality and Life Chances

• Working class and poor people are:– Less likely to go to college– More likely to get arrested, convicted, go to

prison, and receive the death penalty than upper class people

– More likely to die prematurely

Our economy is worth, roughly,$188 trillion.

Which is split between, roughly,311 million people.

From 2009-2011, 100% of all new

income went to the top 1%

The bottom 99% actually saw a loss in their income.

Forbes 400 Richest Americans

• Have a combined net worth of over $1.54 trillion

• Bill Gates = $66 billion• All 400 are billionaires ($1.1—$66 bil.)• About 30 % inherited their wealth– (as of 2013)

Over $200 billion is inherited each year, half of which comes from just 7 percent of estates.

Questions for us to consider:

Is a capitalist economy compatible with a democratic society?and

How should we structure our economy if we wish to truly achieve democracy, freedom, and equality?