“It follows that people should enjoy the liberty to manage their own lives, associate as they please, exchange with anyone and everyone, own and accumulate property and otherwise be creative by state expansion into their lives” (Tucker, n.p.). Capitalism is defined as “an economic system in which property resources are privately owned and markets and prices are used to direct and coordinate economic activities” (Economics, p. G-2). Capitalism promises nothing, but gives you opportunities to earn what you want. Too often we hear people use the term Capitalism like it is a bad thing, the reason for all of our economic troubles. When things do not always turn out the way that they are supposed to and take a turn for the worse, primarily the blame is pointed in the direction of Capitalism.
Then the theory was applied to human development by Herbert Spencer and William Graham Sumner thought that the economy was a natural event and that it did not need any guidance in its evolution. And based on Sumer’s views they greatly contrasted the beliefs of the Social Gospel. Under the theory of Social Darwinism a person’s “fitness” was determined by their wealth, social status, and their property. And similar to Darwin’s actual theory the poor people in this case were seen as “less fit to survive” because they were seen as being lazy and inferior to the wealthy. Also the theory of Social Darwinism appealed to the protestant work ethic because they believed that anyone could become successful and prosper with hard work intelligence and perseverance.
Therefore republicanism called for thriftiness, simplicity and plainness in all things, be it fashion or food. Only by closely adhering to republican values could men guard against greed and corruption within others and within themselves. The second set and opposing political idea being birthed at this time was the idea of Liberalism. Whereas republican liberty had a civic and social responsibility, liberalism focused on privacy and the rights of the individual. It defined itself as striving to maximize individual liberty through a democratic system of rights under law.
Power and wealth should not be distributed equally in a society, this is why capitalism is a more effective system. It is against human nature for everyone to be equal, and people who worked harder than others should be rewarded accordingly. A classless society is not a realistic society. This would only work in a perfect society, and such society has never existed. In theory, communism may sound as an appealing form of government.
Government played a minor role and cities did not offer public relief. Thinkers believed poor people should work hard to improve their own personal economy and not get government or anyone’s help. This would make America stronger. Freedom was defined as no government interference in the business of business. The economy would be ruled by natural laws of “survival of the fittest” and “supply and demand.” These ideas favored captains of industries like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.
He sought to create opportunities for others instead of simply giving it to them the easy way. Instead of individuals getting a more money so they can spend more how about give them chances to want to learn and earn the money they desire for themselves. If you want something in life you have to go out and get it, no one will give it to you for free. Carnegie was the term for a notion promoted by many successful businessmen that their massive wealth was a social benefit for all. Carnegie believed it was better to benefit mankind then just individual’s needs.
Those opposed to this proposal will say that America is all about freedoms and this proposal will make us more socialistic. What people don’t realize is America is a mixed economy. Whether it is mad known or not, America uses some socialistic measures to keep our country afloat. Those who oppose are thinking selfishly and don’t have faith that these young adults can help the country. Mandatory National service is imperative and should get put into affect immediately because the livelihood of the United States depends on it.
In addition to the government taking action, the common people took action also. Ralph Chaplin stated in his song “Solidarity Forever,” that a union of men is stronger than a single man. He also states that a single man is nothing compared to his boss but a union makes him strong. Adam Smith stated in his novel The Wealth of Nations, that the only reason of production is to provide the best possible good to the consumer for the lowest price. He states that society should assist producers to the point where they only help them benefit the consumer and no more.
Modern science and technology are the off-shoots of capitalism and since the latter, by its very nature, is an aggressive system, there is bound to be equal aggressiveness under capitalism in the forms of the development science and technology. Technology affects one’s individual freedom; either increasing it or restricting it to such an extent that you can shop for clothes from your cell phone and at the same time be helpless in case of a power shutdown. A capitalist society is based on inequalities of power and it entails that advancement in technology will reflect that inequality as it doesn’t develop in a social vacuum. To further their profits and strengthen competition capitalist employed methods of division of labour. But division of labour itself created alienation- estrangement from your own work; increased division of labour meant alienation from the product of your work i.e.
Since then, early economists such as Adam Smith and David Ricardo opposed the idea and advocated free trade because they believed free trade was the reason why certain civilizations prospered economically (Cooper, 2000). Adam Smith pointed to certain civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans as examples of flourishing civilizations as well as non-western civilizations such as East Bengal and China to support his claim that increased trading where each country produced the goods in which they are most efficient at and trading between each other was the reason these civilizations prospered (Cooper, 2000). The dispute between free trade and mercantilism was the most important question in economics after Netherland overtook the Spanish in the 16th century as the world leader of the time (Cooper, 2000). Classical liberals in the 19th and 20th century believed that free trade promoted peace as long as it was combined with internationally coordinated domestic economic policies to promote high levels of employment, and international economic institutions (Cooper, 2000). Through this, the interests of countries were not in conflict with