From: bobcat-AT-pseud.pseud Subject: RE: M-INTRO: Capitalism, Consumerism, and Ecological Sustainability Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 14:42:48 -0600 SKITRAM makes some good points. There are many modern innovations in capitalist countries that are helping curb environmental destruction. In the United States and Western Europe, pollution is way down from its historic highs in the 80s. Reforestation is occurring in places like New England and species are being reintroduced to old habitats all over the country. The one point I don't agree with is that this can be attributed to a "market correction" of any kind. The capitalist market doesn't have environmental responsibility built into it anywhere. What I think is happening is that as capitalism evolves and becomes what one author calls "Market Democracy" (a hybrid of socialism and capitalism), the people themselves begin to value social responsibility in addition to profits. In this way, capitalist forces respond to non-market ideals. This tends to occur frequently in "established" economies such as the United States and Western Europe, but much less frequently in emerging markets such as Brazil and Southeast Asia. Could it be that pollution and environmental devastation are simply side effects of a stage in human transition, just as they occurred during other such dynamic periods as the agricultural and industrial revolutions? There is one excellent book that thinks this is the case. If you want some good reading, check out "The Progress Paradox" by Greg Easterbrook. -----Original Message----- From: owner-marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.Virginia.EDU [mailto:owner-marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.Virginia.EDU] On Behalf Of SKITRAMP-AT-pseud.pseud Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 11:17 AM To: marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.Virginia.EDU Subject: M-INTRO: Capitalism, Consumerism, and Ecological Sustainability Capitalism, Consumerism, and Ecological Sustainability It isn't difficult to notice that Capitalism leads to consumption. It is clear that the U.S. consumes more than twice most nations. This is seen as good and bad. It is good for the economy as a signal of strong consumer confidence, but it is bad because of the strains on the Earth's natural resources. I want to propose that it is Capitalism that will destroy the ecosystems, but it is also Capitalism that can save it. Capitalism drives on demand. When demand for cleaner, efficient and sustainable products rises, and they will, Capitalism will change the negative idea of consumerism to a positive. Who would complain if we consumed more bicycles and hybrid powered cars? Who would complain if we consumed only recycled goods, and did all our work on small computers, using less paper? What if all our packing materials are made of biodegradable materials instead of plastic? These are all technologies that are coming about due to a demand, and the Capitalist nations and corporations of the world are in the forefront. GE opened a large facility in Germany just to research and develop sustainable energy, like wind and solar power. My point is Capitalism will bring this about sooner than any other economic structure. I don't see Cuba, Vietnam, or N. Korea in a hurry to protect the environment and make more sustainable energy. The U.S. is at an ugly stage of Capitalism right now, but the market will correct itself, and soon we can appear more like Europe or better, in our consumer habits. --- from list marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.760 / Virus Database: 509 - Release Date: 9/10/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.760 / Virus Database: 509 - Release Date: 9/10/2004 --- from list marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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