RSA Animate - Crises of Capitalism

In this RSA Animate, celebrated academic David Harvey looks beyond capitalism towards a new social order. Can we find a more responsible, just, and humane economic system?
Watch the full lecture here: http://www.thersa.org/events/video/ar...

The RSA is a 258 year-old charity devoted to creating social progress and spreading world-changing ideas. For more information about our research, RSA Animates, free events programme and 27,000 strong fellowship.

Find out more about the RSA at http://www.thersa.org
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Produced and edited by Abi Stephenson, RSA. Animation by Cognitive Media.

• Category

  News & Politics

[Ruttie2]

Capitalism, as a whole is flawed. Bankers and corporations will ultimately dominate mankind, like now. But, you´ll be labeled a ´´conspiracy theorist´´ when you figure that out.

[Jason Jasonson]

this guy is basing his entire talk on a flawed concept of "capitalism"... he is arguing against corporate fascism....

[urdisturbing]

The farming industry is no different from the manufacturing industry. I'm not sure why you're singling it out.

I'm not saying anything is free. I'm saying the means of production should be controlled by the workers and they should have the ability to fire their bosses. Remember, the labour movement consists of people performing labor.

My political premise is we should learn as much as we can about human nature, then create a system which best fits that nature. You should watch this video.

[MrNoobophile]

Why can the Amish do it but you can't? After all, aren't you suppose to be smarter than everyone else so you can make all the decisions for them. You know those CEOs that mindlessly follow orders, they don't need to work there, there is nothing stopping anyone from working somewhere, just don't expect people to help you if you offer them nothing of value in return, that is capitalism, it is being born without the notion that the world owes you anything simply for existing.

[MrNoobophile]

And why does it require capital? Did you invent the tractor? Did you drill for the oil? Did you lay the pipes? No, you didn't but yet you just like all leftists expect everything to be given to you simply because you are born. There is more than enough opportunity to be self sufficient, but guess what, It's hard, it takes work.

[urdisturbing]

When it comes to Socialist Libertarianism, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Read something by George Orwell or Noam Chomsky. Google Spanish Revolution. Wikipedia is your friend.

[urdisturbing]

"Farm land is cheap" No, farming is just like any other industry. It requires huge amounts of capital and training.

"socialist libertarianism is an oxymoron" No, capitalist libertarianism (aka Corporate Fascism) is an oxymoron. In capitalist societies everybody, from the CEOs down, mindlessly follow orders from people above them, and they are often forced to compromise their integrety in the process. If they don't like it their only option is to mindlessly follow orders for someone else.

[MrNoobophile]

And socialist libertarianism is an oxymoron, if people choose to be socialists in their own group within a free society, then go for it! Like I said, you have more than the freedom and the opportunity to do so. Farm land is cheap, get a group together and start from scratch, then no one is going to attack you for thinking you for being a privileged slacker looking for a handout without doing any hard work.

[MrNoobophile]

Naturally you would need to buy land in respect to the people that had come to the country before it, who took the risks to discover it and who fought to defend it or the children of those ancestors who had the land passed onto them. If your ancestors did all this and you have nothing from them, then it's sad but perhaps they made some mistakes in life or had some tragedy. That said, and the fact that there are many people to compete with, farm land is more than affordable.

[urdisturbing]

In capitalist societies all the land is privately owned. I can't start a farm on someone else's land.

People have much more freedom in Socialist Libertarianism then they do in Capitalism. If you are unfamiliar with the concept I recommend you read something by George Orwell or Noam Chomsky.

If I must rent myself out as a Wage Slave or else I die, how can I be called "Free?"

[killedbyLife]

Which is the inevitable result of the free market capitalism.