capitalism is the ultimate system
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
After 2 votes and with the same amount of points on both sides...
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i want someone to try and prove that capitalism isnt the best system available
Having this concept explained, we understand that capitalism, as it is, was not created by humanity, which makes it perfect in its own way.
Now, how do market laws apply? These are also natural. For example, consider your brain learning something new. The demand for information causes resources to move from one place to another. You might forget something you learned before, but you focus on the new thing. This is an example of market logic in how brain cells work.
An ecosystem is another example: a space where different entities work separately yet still influence each other while competing in their own markets. You also have the immune system and how different cells or supplies attend to the needs or demands from a pathogen. Notice how the immune system "innovates" or finds its way to handle situations by adapting itself to the needs of the pathogen or what the body requires to stay healthy.
This illustrates that everything in nature is also a competition. Market logic applies to all living things, big or small, because they act out of pure evolution—a form of capitalism where goods are created from existing ones.
Having said this, a healthy society should let everyone live as they choose while ensuring the classical principle of liberalism the principle of non-aggression is respected. This means enhancing liberty on both social and economic levels: no one is forced to do anything they don't want to, and no one can hurt or violate another person’s freedoms.
I can also explain how social freedom works through market logic. Ideas are valued by how many people believe in them, which resembles democracy in every way. This highlights another point: market logic is purely democratic. Social freedom is the capacity to believe in an idea (or not) and to exercise freedom of speech. It also includes actions that may not be socially mainstream, such as smoking weed or breaking traditional gender roles by being a feminine man or a masculine woman.
This ties into Darwin’s principle: living beings adapt to their environments in the most convenient ways possible while overcoming challenges. Social freedom works similarly, as people consciously or unconsciously choose the ideology that suits them best. This creates a common denominator, leading to overall societal change.
For example, conservatism, sexism, and racism have declined over time because they no longer suit modern logic or societal needs. Homophobia is another example—it has significantly decreased over the years. Gender roles have evolved, and science has become more widely accepted by institutions like the church, as seen during the Renaissance.
In contrast, during the Middle Ages, even reading the stars was considered sorcery and could lead to being burned alive. Many such shifts highlight how freedom has influenced the world since the Industrial Revolution. It remains a core value today and is seen as indispensable.
- Wolves with better hunting strategies or territories secure more elk.
- When elk populations decline (a "scarcity of supply"), weaker wolf packs or individuals die off or migrate.
- This reduces predator pressure on elk, allowing their population to recover.
- Wolves with better hunting strategies or territories secure more elk.
- Market Logic: Elk are "consumers," and plants are the "goods." Elk must compete for vegetation, especially in areas where resources like fresh grass or shrubs are limited.
- When plant availability decreases due to overgrazing, elk spread out to find better grazing grounds, reducing pressure on a single area.
- Healthier or stronger elk secure better access to plants, while weaker elk may die or reproduce less.
- When plant availability decreases due to overgrazing, elk spread out to find better grazing grounds, reducing pressure on a single area.
- Market Logic: Plants are "producers" that rely on "inputs" like sunlight, water, and nutrients from soil. They compete for these resources through:
- Adaptation: Taller plants outcompete others for sunlight. Deep-rooted plants access water others cannot.
- Diversity: Different plants occupy unique niches, reducing direct competition (e.g., grasses thrive in open fields, while trees dominate forests).
- Adaptation: Taller plants outcompete others for sunlight. Deep-rooted plants access water others cannot.
- Wolf Population Declines → Elk Populations Increase: If wolves overhunt, their numbers decrease due to starvation, allowing elk populations to rebound, reallocating resources for future wolf generations.
- Elk Overgraze → Plant Recovery: If elk overconsume plants, they face starvation, reducing their population. This allows plant resources to regenerate and reallocate.
- Plant Scarcity → New Growth Patterns: Scarcity of sunlight or nutrients forces plants to adapt, fostering diversification and efficient resource use.
- Adam Smith emphasized the role of capital accumulation and reinvestment as the foundation of economic growth:
"Capital employed in agriculture, manufacture, or trade not only replaces itself but also produces a profit, which is added to the original capital and becomes a new source of wealth."
- In Smith's view, existing wealth (capital) generates additional wealth when reinvested into productive activities. This creates a cycle of wealth creation, as profits are reinvested into labor, innovation, or more productive ventures.
Alignment with my Concept:Smith explicitly highlights the process where current wealth, when intelligently applied, creates more wealth—a central tenet of capitalism.- The Invisible Hand and Resource Allocation:
- Smith's metaphor of the "invisible hand" argues that individuals pursuing their self-interest unintentionally promote societal prosperity:
"By directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, [the individual] intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention."
- Wealth creation in capitalism, as per my definition, thrives on this dynamic. Wealth is reinvested into productive ventures not because of altruism but because individuals or enterprises aim to increase their own profits. This self-directed process leads to broader economic growth.
Alignment with my Concept:The "invisible hand" demonstrates how reinvestment of wealth (current wealth) into productive activities benefits society by expanding the economy and creating more opportunities for others.
- Market Logic:Markets rely on the independent decisions of individuals or entities. Buyers and sellers act based on personal incentives, like maximizing utility or profit. No single entity controls the market, yet it often results in efficient allocation of resources (e.g., supply and demand adjusting prices).
- Example: Producers respond to consumer demand by adjusting production; shortages drive innovation or price increases.
- Example: Producers respond to consumer demand by adjusting production; shortages drive innovation or price increases.
- Immune Systems:The immune system operates through millions of decentralized cells (like macrophages, T-cells, and B-cells), each performing specialized roles. These cells "respond" to pathogens independently yet coordinate through chemical signaling to mount an effective defense.
- Example: When a pathogen invades, immune cells in the affected area release signals (cytokines) to recruit reinforcements without central oversight.
- Example: When a pathogen invades, immune cells in the affected area release signals (cytokines) to recruit reinforcements without central oversight.
- Market Logic:Resources in a market are allocated to where they are most needed or valuable, guided by price signals. Scarcity increases prices, incentivizing producers to create more of the scarce good.
- Example: If energy demand rises, prices go up, encouraging investment in production or alternatives (e.g., solar, wind).
- Example: If energy demand rises, prices go up, encouraging investment in production or alternatives (e.g., solar, wind).
- Immune Systems:The immune system allocates resources like white blood cells, antibodies, and energy to combat specific threats. When a particular infection occurs, resources are concentrated in the affected area (e.g., inflammation or fever) while reducing allocation to non-critical functions.
- Example: During an infection, the body diverts energy toward immune responses, often resulting in fatigue.
- Example: During an infection, the body diverts energy toward immune responses, often resulting in fatigue.
- Market Logic:Feedback loops regulate market behavior. For example, if demand exceeds supply, prices rise, which eventually lowers demand and increases supply, rebalancing the market. Similarly, overproduction leads to falling prices, discouraging further production.
- Example: High oil prices may reduce consumption and encourage alternatives, stabilizing the market over time.
- Example: High oil prices may reduce consumption and encourage alternatives, stabilizing the market over time.
- Immune Systems:Feedback loops regulate immune responses. For instance, when a pathogen is cleared, regulatory T-cells signal to suppress the immune response, preventing excessive inflammation (like autoimmune diseases).
- Example: Cytokines amplify the immune response initially but are later suppressed to avoid overreaction.
- Example: Cytokines amplify the immune response initially but are later suppressed to avoid overreaction.
- Market Logic:Competition among firms and individuals encourages innovation, better products, and lower prices. Producers must adapt to consumer needs or risk being outcompeted.
- Example: Companies innovate to create faster, cheaper technology to satisfy market demand.
- Example: Companies innovate to create faster, cheaper technology to satisfy market demand.
- Immune Systems:The immune system uses competitive processes like clonal selection. B-cells and T-cells with the strongest affinity for a specific pathogen are "selected" to proliferate, while less effective cells die off.
- Example: When exposed to a virus, only the most effective antibodies are mass-produced to neutralize it efficiently.
- Example: When exposed to a virus, only the most effective antibodies are mass-produced to neutralize it efficiently.
- Market Logic:Markets are dynamic, constantly adjusting to new challenges, technologies, and consumer preferences. Firms innovate to remain competitive, creating entirely new industries or solutions.
- Example: The rise of renewable energy industries in response to climate change and energy demand.
- Example: The rise of renewable energy industries in response to climate change and energy demand.
- Immune Systems:The immune system adapts to new pathogens through mutation and memory. Once exposed to a threat, it "remembers" it, allowing faster and stronger responses in the future.
- Example: Vaccinations train the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens more effectively.
- Example: Vaccinations train the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens more effectively.
- Market Logic:Markets regulate themselves through mechanisms like competition and price signals. While imperfect, they often stabilize without direct control.
- Example: A monopolistic practice can lead to inefficiencies, which eventually invite competitors or alternative solutions.
- Example: A monopolistic practice can lead to inefficiencies, which eventually invite competitors or alternative solutions.
- Immune Systems:The immune system self-regulates to avoid harm. Overactive responses are dampened, and energy is conserved when threats subside.
- Example: Regulatory cells prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissues (autoimmunity).
- Example: Regulatory cells prevent the immune system from attacking healthy tissues (autoimmunity).
- Human Interference:
- Markets are often subject to external regulation (laws, subsidies, or policies).
- Immune systems are biological and operate autonomously, though they can be influenced (e.g., through medication or vaccines).
- Markets are often subject to external regulation (laws, subsidies, or policies).
- Purpose:
- Markets aim to maximize utility, efficiency, and wealth creation.
- Immune systems prioritize survival and protecting the body from harm.
- Markets aim to maximize utility, efficiency, and wealth creation.
- Islamic Teachings on Trade:
- Commerce was highly valued in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad himself was a merchant, and his teachings promoted ethical trade practices.
- Usury (riba) was prohibited, but partnerships, credit, and other financial instruments flourished.
- Commerce was highly valued in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad himself was a merchant, and his teachings promoted ethical trade practices.
- Freedom of Trade:
- Muslim merchants operated across vast regions without significant barriers. The unification under the Caliphates (Umayyad, Abbasid, and others) created political stability and standardized trade practices.
- The use of a common language (Arabic) and currency simplified transactions.
- Muslim merchants operated across vast regions without significant barriers. The unification under the Caliphates (Umayyad, Abbasid, and others) created political stability and standardized trade practices.
- Low Taxes and Open Markets:
- Trade taxes were minimal compared to European feudal tariffs. Merchants paid small duties, usually zakat (charity tax) or specific tariffs, but these were not restrictive.
- Many cities established open markets (souks or bazaars) that welcomed traders from different regions and religions.
- Trade taxes were minimal compared to European feudal tariffs. Merchants paid small duties, usually zakat (charity tax) or specific tariffs, but these were not restrictive.
- Global Networks:
- Muslim merchants formed networks that spanned continents, allowing for the free flow of goods, ideas, and technologies. For instance, they brought Chinese paper-making techniques to Europe and African gold to the Middle East.
- Muslim merchants formed networks that spanned continents, allowing for the free flow of goods, ideas, and technologies. For instance, they brought Chinese paper-making techniques to Europe and African gold to the Middle East.
RFV in comments 16 and 17 of this debate.
Having taken the time to review both positions. My vote goes to Con. While I do find the pro's argument about capitalism to be interesting, their argument that it predates humanity is both false and lacks common sense. While I am a supporter of capitalism myself, Con made great arguments when pointing out that capitalism is based on thriving rather than balance. Their claim their capitalism creates competition and destruction, while not entirely correct, had more bases in connection with reality than pro's "economy related to evolution" arguments.
I am happy you read my arguments! I wished I made a round too, but nonetheless, thank you for voting!
fair I guess, It's my fault, I chose a bad time in my life to start a debate, and couldn't get the argument before the deadline haha. But it's true, I was going to challenge many things he said in the second round. But time wasn't on my side. Thank you for the contribution! it was interesting to read
to resume what i mean in a few words, capitalism=investment system=market both are unevitable, i think i may have made myself way too long, and human economys work more like symbiosis where there is codependence like bees and flowers, consumers and companys.
RFV Part 1
Title and Description
Ultimate at what?
System for general use in all avenues?
Generally best system for Economics?
What are you defining Capitalism 'as?
Right this second, lacking a definition, I'll go with
"an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market."
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitalism#h1
befairbruh R1
Might be defining capitalism as
"The capitalist concept is the creation of wealth from existing wealth."
Which I 'suppose, one can use to argue one see's such an activity in many species, ants collecting resources, or birds collecting twigs. The acquirement of resources/wealth.
I'm not sure a 'single person on an island could be capitalist though.
Could they be capitalist if there was not another human, but an animal, that they gave food in exchange for the animal doing something?
Such as when a dog guards sheep, or a pig gets slaughtered?
Seems a bit odd, ge- (Well, these are 'my thoughts, not Pros)
I'm not sold on the brain example, to me it feels like saying the demand for free movement causes water to move from place to place when opportunity for movement is presented, such as a hole in a water bottle, therefore water is a capitalist.
Yeah I know Pro is talking about Capitalism 'Market 'Laws, which is different than just saying Capitalism.
. . . It's 'not that I disagree with using Capitalism as a lens, it just feels a bit forced to argue that 'everyone should see through said lens, or that various systems should be called capitalistic.
Cells in the body interact and have different paths, connect with one another, I admit.
Should I see,
"everything in nature is also a competition"
To mean that Pro is also defining Capitalism as competition?
Pro again uses "a form of capitalism where goods are created from existing ones."
I'm just thinking on how to define Capitalism for this debate, which 'maybe should be common sense, but I'm slow sometimes.
Shadowcritique R1
I think Pro is saying one sees the existence of wealth and trade can be seen in many avenues of existence. I think they use the cow and human examples as baseline, before expanding the concept to other avenues.
Which Oxford Dictionary
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https://www.oed.com/dictionary/capitalism_n2?tab=meaning_and_use
Nooo! I hate having to sign into every (Redacted) website to use their (Redacted) services!
Well, anyway,
Con seems to be defining Capitalism as,
"capitalism is an economic system rooted in competition, it is the act of letting the market rule economy, where everyone can do as they please with the recourses they have."
I don't find the argument that nature is focused on survival, convincing.
Birds can collect shiny objects, cats sometimes play with then kill animals even if not hungry, extend their 'territory for reasons of comfort.
A main focus of capitalism 'is often survival, though it can be used more recreationally.
While I suppose nature 'is a community,
I'm not so sure about equality,
Else would one call some rich billionaire a Communist, just because he's going to die someday?
Capitalists 'can crush other people just for being competition, but so can animals,
Territory fights,
Also a bear might eat the bee honey.
Common ownership of the body, is an interesting view for the body, by Con.
Con argues the limits of Freedom.
Round1 Thoughts
I'm still not sure if Pro is arguing one can 'see Capitalism in everything, or if one should try to 'be Capitalistic in more systems.
I can a bit go either way so far, One can see degrees of Capitalism or Communism in various systems perhaps.
Though one might argue BoP is on Pro
RFV Part 2
befairbruh R2
Continuing with their definition of capitalism as,
"the use of one resource leads to the obtention of a new one"
This could be bad for Con, as I don't recall them defining or arguing against Pros definition of capitalism,
It 'wouldn't be so bad for Con though maybe, if they had posted a round 2.
Though one can argue they argued against Pros definition of Capitalism in round 1 by disagreeing on how Pro 'applied their definition.
I don't quite agree with defining Capitalism as the transformation/use of energy for various purposes and/or more wealth/energy.
One sees another possible definition of Capitalism by Pro,
"nature is survival of the fittest so is a free economy market."
Pro makes various comparisons of how they see Capitalism in nature.
Pro argue Capitalism results in better overall situation, though I'm not convinced that humans couldn't control an ecosystem better than leaving animals and plants to themselves.
We usually want something 'specific out of nature,
And while nature may fall into niches and cycles, I don't think there's any 'Objective specific 'Good Cycle.
. . . I think back to Con argument about outside action, medicine for humans acting on their own bodies.
Which I can imagine Pro as arguing to be Capitalism again, because of humans using resources and their body as a resources, to increase resources.
An argument I am not convinced by, one can apply lenses over various situations, I think that Pro is using Capitalism too broadly defined.
But again, it's a problem for Con that they did not post a round 2.
I also think Pros,
Your Freedom to swing your fist, stops before it hits my face, definition of Freedom,
A bit of a cheat, cheap cop out.
It's not as though wolves don't eat the Elk.
Yes, Pro did not use the fist example 'exactly.
Shadowcritique R2
Missed, and missed opportunities for rebuttals or strengthening own argument.
My concluding thoughts.
I think Pro was better able to push their definition of Capitalism than Con was able to push their definition of Communism.
If Con had been around for round 2, maybe they could have hit harder against Pros definitions of Capitalism.
Pro used their time to further define Capitalism as a concept rather than pure human to human trade and control of private goods.
I'm not 'convinced by Pro,
But I think they won the debate by their definition pushing, with not 'enough pushback by Con.
Missing Round 2 hurt Con.
Both sides legible.
Conduct would go to Pro by Con missing a round.
Sources, Tie, neither 'quite used them.
Wel, my vote to Pro then.
hi, may i know wich point lacks any sense? perhaps i missed something on my explanation
I mean, he is arguing that capitalism is a natural process that does only need to rely on the market, I believe this to be pure capitalism?
Capitalism is better than any other economic system developed so far. While pure capitalism would be a terrible idea, you can never have a completely pure economic theory. Capitalism is as good as it's going to get.
thanks man
I think there might be an orange button between Pro (Green) and Con (Red),
That says something along the lines of publish argument,
I'd say click that.
great then lets go, btw its my first time in this site and i dont really know how to publish arguments so i will start doing most of it here, hope its ok, and well, my first argument starts like this, Capitalism is merely a natural concept that exists way before mankind itself, it began with the first ever cellular form, how is economy related to evolution?? well capitalism beyond economy and trade its the use of resources, and the capitalist concept is the creation of wealth from current wealth, example, you have a cow and use its milk to buy a new cow, now you make twice as much milk and so on, more cows more milk, its a basic example, having this concept explained, we understand that capitalism as it is, it was not made by humanity wich makes it perfect on its own way, now how do the market laws apply?? well these are also natural, for example, your brain on learning something new, the demand of information causes the resources to move from one place to the other, you learned something before but now you dont care so you forget but you still learn this new thing, its an example of a market logic in how brain cells work, an ecosystem is another example somewhere where different entitys work each separately yet still influence each other, whilst comepeting in their own markets, you also have the inmune system itself and how different cells or supply attending the need or demand from the patogen, see how the inmune system "innovates" or find its own way to handle the situation by adapting itself to the "needs" of the the patogen or what the body requires to be healthy, this is shown in how everything in nature is also a competition, market logic applys to all little and big living things everywhere because all of these act out of bare evolution from capitalism the creation of a good from a current one, having this said, a society a healthy one should let everyone be and live as they should while making sure the classical principal of liberalism wich is the principle of no aggression is respected, this comes with enhancing liberty on both a social and economical level, meaning no one is meant to do anything they dont want to and no one can hurt or violate a freedom from another person, i can explain as well how society freedom works, through the market logic,
I see, so you're point is mainly related to pure capitalism, emphasizing that it's the better way to run society. If this is the case then I am ready to accept your arguments!
yeah as long as it is a system where freedom of choice is respected, because this is what truly puts resources where they "belong" or should be at wich is where the demand asks it to be
i mean by ultimate as the best or the only functional one, the model society i mean to explain is one that is free both economically socially and politically, also one that does have a state a small one that only makes sure that individuals are able to be competent yet not to live for and by the state.
you are right it is vague, what i mean to say is that the use of pure free markets and the respect of owners free will to do as they must is the most optimal way to get a healthy growing thriving society, and i mean this not just in economics but also in politics and even to a social level
I do want to ask, can you explain your argument better? what do you mean by the best? do you speak of pure capitalism? this is too vague
well capitalism is a natural concept that stands to all living things to even a cellular level, the concept itself is to create a new good from an current one, the constant creation of new wealth it is, this is something that applys to even the wildest species, even non intelligent life, wich is also why the free market system is something that is also natural and non created by humans yet still unnevitably used because as i said capitalism and also market logic apply to human nature i can show more examples why both macro and micro level
Ultimate as in the best or a final system?
What do you mean by ultimate?
When do you consider a system to no longer be capitalism?
Many governments have a 'mix of economic systems I think.
Also, do theoretical systems count?
Such as a system where robots do near all the manufacturing and mining of resources.
Worked great so far.