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
@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!
I remember supprting 13-16yr old kids with their studies, around 15-20 years ago, and one of the girls - a refugee from Somalia - had obvious problems with the Dutch language. Well, one has to start somewhere, so we decided to concentrate on any type of homework she might have. We opened the book for Economics and started reading.
Page 1, first statement: there is never enough money.
She looked at me with those big dark eyes and said: "Duh, I know that."
Damage done.
@davoloid thank you! Adding to my queue!