Let’s start with something controversial: Capitalism is not an economic system. It is a philosophical and ideological force that shapes our lives, environment, and perception of humanity.
@Daojoan By sheer coincidence, I was listening to this radio show (available as a podcast) yesterday on Veblen's "Theory of the leisure class". One of the main things I took from that is that Economics positions itself as a universal scientific explanation of a system. A physical model like in Chemistry or Biology which justifies inequality.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1t5Mw9m9zHRdDMiu2lKdH5?si=157anBwtTTGV1-UateWCag
@davoloid thank you! Adding to my queue!
@Daojoan Am a couple of chapters in to Veblen's text (available here: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/833) and it's right up your street. I had never heard of him before this podcast.
Can see parallels today with a predatory society that values conquest, aquisition and ownership over useful work. And individuals displaying their prowess through conquest and displays of trophies.
Might be reading into things but I can sense Trump and other oligarchs, and feels like there are some commentaries on current society too.
@davoloid checking it out!