George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Some people are saying "that's not capitalism, that's something else." Here is the definition Peter Hutchison and I developed, which distinguishes capitalism from mere commerce or "markets". (Explained in The Invisible Doctrine): 1019937
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Of course, capitalism is now thoroughly entangled with commerce, but these are two different things coming together, each of which can exist apart from the other. We can - and should - have commerce without capitalism. 1122729
Zionism is racism. @leftymathprof.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Mr Monbiot, I agree with and admire most of your writings, but I disagree with your approval of commerce. I have written a short essay about that: leftymathprof.wordpress.com/trade/leftymathprof.wordpress.comTrade Increases InequalityWealth is power, and its concentration in few hands results in terrible corruption. Inequality in our society is enormous, and it has been for 12,000 years, ever since we replaced sharing with hoar… 100
jmeek.bsky.social @jmeek.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Note that communism and extreme forms of socialism suffer from the same problem as the more extreme forms of capitalism -- control of the means of production and distribution of its fruits by a small number of people. Communism is even worse. Vastly lower standards of living. 000
Safa Bee (she/fae) @handle.invalid · 06/02/2025I find the one concept that really clarifies the distinction between capitalism and other forms of commerce is surplus value theft. 000
Rich @richjvann.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Capitalism can work only for the very rich, or for everyone depending on how it is structured. There are capitalist organizations who leverage capital based on dividend-paying loans instead of unbalanced ownership and where workers are the owners and democratically govern toward shared interests. 100
Riccardo @riccardoiacobucci.com · 05/02/2025At this point it's really a matter of definition. The point is we should have markets where it's appropriate (generic goods etc.), and a strong state providing equal services everywhere else (education, healthcare, etc.), funded by a strongly progressive taxation 000
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Please remember that capitalism has invested heavily in its own justifications, disguising its true nature and creating huge confusion about what it is and what distinguishes it from prior and other practices. Unpicking this and understanding what it really is have long been crucial political tasks. 517027
Johnnie Burdette @johnnieburdette.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Please don’t demean capitalism by comparing it with Trump and Musk’s shenanigans. 000
Johnnie Burdette @johnnieburdette.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Yes, it’s called compassionate capitalism. 000
Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 05/02/2025I admit I know little about economics. But how would I buy, for example, a vacuum cleaner I could afford unless it was mass-produced? Is there a link to your analysis of this issue? 100
Warwick Smith @warwicks1.bsky.social · 05/02/2025I must admit I struggle to understand that final sentence. Isn't commerce dependent on the investment of capital to a large degree (whatever we think of that system)? Otherwise commerce is simply barter or the products of our individual labour? 100
Steve B @stevebasnett.bsky.social · 05/02/2025More than simply liking, reposting, even pinning this, I'd like to add that it's known in macroeconomics that Capitalism is an old way which has failed multiple times. It is all-consuming, including itself. It is us the people who are used to continue propping up the failures through cycles of debt. 010
