2 posts tagged “capitalism”
Thus I come again to the only prediction I have allowed myself to make, and that I must now iterate one last time. The twenty-first century capitalism will be dominated by a spectrum of capitalisms, some successful, some not. The crucial question for Americans, and perhaps for the world as a whole, is where our own nation will be located along that spectrum. I have preciously spoken of “slightly imaginary Sweden” as one end of a range of capitalist societies. I now add that it is equally possible to speak of not-so-imaginary America as another. In the context of twentieth-century realities, Sweden proved to be unworkable. In the context of twenty-first century realities, America may prove to be the same, unless it changes mightily.
A last word seems necessary. I am not so foolhardy as to believe that a framework of uncertain analysis and personal vision will enable us to circumvent Kliuchevsky’s admonition (“History teaches nothing, but only punishes for not learning its lessons.”) Perhaps history’s punishments are its lessons. Nonetheless, it is my hope that some grasp of what the twenty-first century holds in store for capitalism may enable us to avoid at least some of the punishment we will otherwise have to endure.
Robert Heilbroner in 21st Century Capitalism, 1993
We have seen the faults of socialism. Capitalism has many cultures relating “to the meaning found in work, the attitude towards stakeholders, the style of managing employees, the various negotiating tactics,” among other things. But the necessary superiority of capitalism has not been demonstrated. As does any human institution, it has flaws, but capitalism itself can and must be changed. What lies beyond socialism and capitalism is perhaps the greatest challenge facing the search for sustainability.
Stephen Viederman: Sustainability’s Five Capitals and Three Pillars in Dennis C. Pirages (Ed.): Building Sustainable Societies, 1996.
