Is capitalism exploitative?

More Than Mortal · November 25, 2014, 03:07:22 PM

There are always numerous arguments in favour of this, and yet so few against for some reason.

I despise state socialism for its blatant and unapologetic paternalism, and yet left-libertarianism has lost none of this arrogant paternalism in its insistence on telling people they're being exploited and used. I think, so long as the potential employee isn't bargaining for the means of his survival, capitalism isn't exploitative.

Kinder Graham · November 25, 2014, 03:27:29 PM

Everything can be turned to exploit, and Capitalism is no different. Corporations outsource to countries like China and pay them low wages, make them work long hours, and treat them as pieces of property

Mad Max · November 25, 2014, 03:31:10 PM

Pure, unregulated capitalism - yes.

Turkey · November 25, 2014, 03:33:21 PM

Economy is a tool; humans are exploitative.

More Than Mortal · November 25, 2014, 03:33:55 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on November 25, 2014, 03:31:10 PM

Pure, unregulated capitalism - yes.

I take a bit of a (pedantic) issue with the use of the term "unregulated".

It seems to me that, so long as you have an effectual social safety net in place, then regulation isn't that important.

Although, I doubt you were using the term "unregulated" in such a specific sense >.>

More Than Mortal · November 25, 2014, 03:34:22 PM

Quote from: E̲n̲ga̲ge̲d̲T̲u̲r̲k̲e̲y on November 25, 2014, 03:33:21 PM

Economy is a tool; humans are exploitative.

Certain systems, however, are more adept at facilitating exploitation.

BrenMan 94 · November 25, 2014, 03:44:58 PM

The system? No. But can people working within that system be exploitative? Absolutely.

It's irrelevant whether or not capitalism, as a system, fosters that behavior.

Super Irish · November 25, 2014, 03:58:57 PM

All systems can be exploitative, it's just we've had a good run with Capitalism to sustainably exploit it.
(Except for the odd economic meltdown, but it's not on par with the collapse of countries).

Dustin · November 27, 2014, 12:55:06 AM

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