We should blame ourselves, not the markets
Capitalism and free markets serve the people.
Companies make what we will buy. Those with the best strategy and products lead by making the most profit. Also, some businesses go public, thereby making the shareholders owners.
A market system seems natural and fair to me.
So who controls, or rather is ignoring, how businesses are treating their employees or the environment; making cheap or unhealthy products; threatening our security; going against our supposed values?
That’s right- we are. We are going against our own values.
Forget for a moment that America is a democracy. Yes, the government sets regulations affecting the economy- child labor laws, minimum wage, 40-hour week, etc.
But couldn’t all those regulations not be needed under capitalism?
Hypothetically, we could strike and boycott to not buy shirts manufactured by 9 year old’s in Cambodia.
Hypothetically, we don’t have to buy gas powered, emission producing, cars. If we don’t buy them, companies wouldn’t make them. We would rely on public transportation and alternative power. Think, if electric cars were the only thing we were buying today, there would be more electric car companies, more innovation, and therefore more competition in lower prices.
Hypothetically, we could only eat organic or naturally flavored foods (cough cough I’m talking to you soda drinkers). It would be better for ourselves and the world, so why don’t we do any of this?
One, because we’re lazy.
But really, I think it all comes down to accountability.
As individuals, we see what little impact we can make in the world and become disheartened. We forget the power of the group.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
Although it is currently an inactive stance, we are all playing a part in how the markets and governments are ran. Essentially, we focus more on what should be produced than how it should be produced- should there be more of a balance? It is our choice to decide.
It is time for us to utilize our rights and align our values. We live for capitalism and democracy, for we are free.
