Capitalism Books_deckhand_Flickr deckhand/Flickr

The Capitalist Threat to Capitalism

Capitalism has often proved dysfunctional in important ways – encouraging shortsightedness, contributing to wide disparities between the rich and the poor, and tolerating the reckless treatment of environmental resources. If these costs cannot be controlled, support for capitalism may wane – and with it, humanity’s best hope for prosperity.

LONDON – Winston Churchill famously observed that democracy is the worst form of government – apart from all the others that have been tried. Were he alive today, he might think the same of capitalism as a vehicle for economic and social progress.

Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. Yet it has also proved dysfunctional in important ways. It often encourages shortsightedness, contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor, and tolerates the reckless treatment of environmental capital.

If these costs cannot be controlled, support for capitalism may disappear – and with it, humanity’s best hope for economic growth and prosperity. It is therefore time to consider new models for capitalism that are emerging around the world – specifically, conscious capitalism, moral capitalism, and inclusive capitalism.

https://prosyn.org/0MMvdk7