Is capitalism the answer?

[Brimshack]

Okay, but those globalistic agendas have been a fundamental part of capitalism since the period of exploration and colonialism. Capitalism is never contained within the boundaries of a single nation. It is inherently global in its operation.

 

[Susan]

Communism is not the answer. Capitalism is not the answer.
JESUS is the answer

 

[seebs]

Originally posted by Susan
Communism is not the answer. Capitalism is not the answer.
JESUS is the answer

Ahh, another vote for the "God gives us whatever we need" economy.

 

[Brimshack]

"Communism is not the answer. Capitalism is not the answer.
JESUS is the answer"

(Sigh!) In all seriousness, it is not a fill-in-the-blank question. It's going to take more than a single word to resolve these issues.

 

[TruelightUK]

I might dream up a few questions of my own, lik

1) Which country has sold the most arms to developing nations?
2) Which country has supported the systematic destruction of the most rainforest?
4) Which country consumes the most of the world's non-renewable resources?
5) Which major world power refuses to limit its emissions of CO2 and other pollutants, thus contributing most to the destructive effects of global warming and acid rain?
6) Which country sponsors the exploitation of Third Worsl workers by multi-national companies?

And so on.

My own nation rates quite badly on some of those, but I suspect there is another which comes out even worse!

Anthony

 

[TruelightUK]

Originally posted by Susan
Communism is not the answer. Capitalism is not the answer.
JESUS is the answer

I can't argue with that one, Susan. However, it begs the question, what is Jesus' answer to the economic and soco-political needs of the world? What are the standards that he would command upon rich nations vis-a-vis poorer ones? How would he have us - individually and corporately - live our lives in respect to our fellow humanbeings (particularly those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged)? What is His attitude to the acquisition of wealth? Stewardship of resources - personal, national and worldwide?

Of course, as a Christian myself, I do recognise your implied point that simply changing political systems is not in itself the answer to the world's ills and injustices. There is a spiritual problem at the heart of all this, called sin - and as someone else pointed out, the sin of greed brings out the worst in any political system. However, realistically, this side of the Millenium, we're never goiing to get a world made up of 100% 'saved' individuals, eager to obey their Creator. I'd be interested to know what you feel Jesus would say to those trying to make the best out of a broken world. Does it actually matter to Him what attitudes and social conditions our Western lifestyles and political systems promote?

Anthony

 

[Verbal]

What aspects of both capitalism and socialism do you agree/disagree with?

 

[Susan]

I'm not going to say for the most part. However, I do support some form of a welfare and unemployment "safety net", because I know that no matter what some conservatives say, the church itself would not be able to provide for all the poor. It's a simple numbers issue (not enough money available for all who need) as well as an issue of deprivation. By that I mean that in this real, fallen world, *some* (definitely not all or most)churches would refuse to help some people on the basis of fear, prejudice, or outright spite.

 

[Brimshack]

There we go. Now I have something to think about.

 

[BigEd]

The truth of the matter is true capitalism or true socalism has never really been practiced. both systems have adopted ideas from each other. During the great depression, most countries adopted socialist reforms. ( a side note, the great depression, was the colapse of capitalism that Marx predicted, but he goofed thinking that would lead to a world revolution, instead most countries enacted reforms, that created at least a minimum of "safety net".)

all that said, I think in many ways capitalism works on a junkie mentality. companies need to squeeze more and more profit to get their "fix".

On the other hand socialism, is also a junkie mentality.socialism has only lead to hopeless bloated bueacracies, which keep expanding to get thier control "fix".

 

[Brimshack]

Hmm, not too much to disagree with there BigEd. I hope you don't mind if I just agree with you for a change.

 

[Oliver]

Originally posted by MARANATHA2002
Questions: 1. What economic system has generated more charitable funding?
2. What country has given the most to charitable causes?
3. What country has given the most in economic aid?
4. What was the economic system for the country in questions 3 & 4?

I wonder what country you had in mind, so I did a quick search on the net and guess what? The US is not the winner for question n°3! (it came as a surprise for me)
It turns out that countries run by a socialist governement (although socialist in this case simply means less liberal) like France give about as much as the US ($6.3 billions and $6.9 billions)...

So I think that economic aid has more to do with economic developement and wealth than with the economic system. Just my $0.02 (and no, these $0.02 are not taken into account )


[edit:] Figures from this site: Economic aid: donors

 

[TheBear]

I suggest reading, The Tragedy of American Compassion, by Marvin Olaskey.


John

 

[TruelightUK]

Originally posted by Oliver
It turns out that countries run by a socialist governement (although socialist in this case simply means less liberal) like France give about as much as the US ($6.3 billions and $6.9 billions)

Intersting figures those - I see Japan is top of the list with 9.something billion! It would be interesting to see them expressed as per capita figures and as a % of GNP, which might actually tell us more about the relatvie generosity of these nations. Maybe elsewhere on the site - no time to check just now!

Maranatha, do you have any figures to support your claim about charitable giving - again, ideally expressed as a % or GNP?

Anthony

 

[BigEd]

Originally posted by Brimshack
Hmm, not too much to disagree with there BigEd. I hope you don't mind if I just agree with you for a change.

wow brimshack agreed with me....
and you say their's no god brimshack...LOL