Capitalism is Good for the Soul!

Capitalism is not romantic like Socialism or Environmentalism. But it does work! Here is an excellent piece by Peter Saunders.

I particularly like this passage*
"When I was a university teacher, I frequently encountered students who argued just as Clive does. We are too materialistic, they told me, we don’t need all these possessions, we should stop the capitalist machine and devote our energies to better and higher pursuits. But whenever I asked them at what point in history they thought the machine should have been turned off, they would invariably reply, ‘now!’ "

In other words, those students want to keep the fruits of capitalism up to everything that they already have. Furthermore, they would deny those same benefits to those who do not have them.

So capitalism gives us too much of what we need. The alternative, is of course, that we don't get enought of what we need. . .and how easy would it be if you didn't have water, food, and shelter? Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the capitalist west are able to take those basic needs for granted. Now that's luxury!

And, providing the best possible outcome for the most possible people, well that's good for the soul.