Anti-Capitalism?

Okay, I wanted to make sure I knew I remembered what Capitalism actually was. So many years since school and WAY too many beers in England to retain a lot of memory brain cells. Encarta says that Capitalism is a Free-Market System.

free-market system: an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterized by a free competitive market and motivation by profit

Sorry, cut and paste sort of thing. Like I said, thanks Encarta. For Capitalism to work, people need to invent things, produce things, market them and sell them for profit. The opposite would be Communism, correct?

classless political system: the political theory or system in which all property and wealth is owned in a classless society by all the members of that society

So, a free-market system is privately owned by an individual or select group and a classless political system is owned by everyone equally. Right. Is there a grey-area anywhere here? I don't know, I think I might be Blogging out loud (again!), but it seems to me being Anti-Capitialist, should be Pro-Communist, should it not? The adjective meaning of anti is:

opposed to something: expressing or holding an opposing view, especially with regard to a political issue or moral principle

No, that still doesn't hold much water. That still allows for a grey area, doesn't it?

Now, I'm not much of a political fighter, campaigner (except for ol' Bertuzzi to be re-instated into the NHL, but it isn't quite as severe as this topic, or is it?) or advocate, but isn't there a better route to take than to being an Anti-Capitalist?

Capitalism has done great things to the modern world, particularly where the A-C's (Anti-Capitalists, too much to type all the time) are campaigning. I'll wager that a good portion of the A-C's have iPods or various forms of... they probably have bank accounts, computers, televisions, read newspapers and so on. I would think that being a real A-C would incite some sort of real protest on not consuming Capitalist created goods (kudos, to those who do).

All I'm saying is maybe these protesters, should take another look at what they call themselves and maybe, just maybe, they might get a little bit more recognition for what they are protesting for.

I agree that First-World countries and it's Capitalism ways haven't done enough to support the Third-World. Bob Geldof's mission to make everyone aware of the aid needed in Africa was great and gladly, he didn't mention anything about being A-C. Capitalism has spawned greed in the First-World, but greed isn't necessarily Capitialism. I, myself, am not a big fan of the greed in the rich society... some companies could do more to develop other places of the world.

I guess there in lies the argument against Capitalism. "motivation by profit." Although, if proper research was done into the development and the right amount of due care and attention, companies that invest wisely into such things could potentially continue to make or improve their profits later on. Man, what a Pandora's Box I've opened up for myself. I shall continue though, 'cuz this is kinda fun at the moment.

I'm a big fan of general competition. Profit and economical growth (Capitalism) are all general forms of competition. Just like sports. Since I'm a consumer of goods and a sports fan, I think I would take more of a pro-Capitalism (or P-C, if you will) stance to the argument and this is why I do so. Since I'm not a big political fan, but a huge sports fan, I'll stand firm as well on this.

What if there was no competition? Oh, dammit... another Pandora's Box. Anyways... I'm a good sport when it comes to competition. That being said, I don't mind losing as much as I like to win. I take my life as I do my sports. I try to compete through life to do the best I possibly can for that and I'll almost do whatever it takes to get ahead. Almost. I'm no murderer or anything, but like some "honest citizens" out there, I'll fudge a number or two if I have to if I'm up against a faceless corporation that already makes billions in profit. It's a way of life. Dammit... I think I've run amok somewhere. I only say that, because I like sports by the rules... it's only fair, because that's all in fun.

Odd, how the things that I find fun are well dictated by rules and real life that can be affect someone (indirectly) is blurred in my mind. Huh, nothing like self-realization on a Monday night, eh?

You know, I think I strayed away from my original argument somewhere and now my tangent has run against me. Meh... it's only a Blog, it's not like a term-paper or anything. I'm not getting graded on it... except in your judgement... the reader... or my friends... or well... meh!

Right... in conclusion (finally!), if A-C's want to say that they are A-C, then they should be A-C. These young kids who say they are or are marching for, should really just change their tune a little. Get into the whole Live 8 idea of making aware that Africa needs aid and things to help themselves grow and thrive. Anti-Poverty or Anti-Suffering marches sounds better... happier tunes... better marketing... everyone will listen to people who sound a little bit more positive than people who are bitter and looking for a fight.

I bet more people would pay their taxes with less-grumbling (not to say you're gonna get rid of it all) when they know it's going to a cause that quite possibly could be rectified so they wouldn't have to pay for it anymore in 20 years. Save your kids wages from taxes, pay yours to save Africa (or something like that).

That was quite fun. Don't get me started on my ideal world now, because it is somewhat against what I've been rambling about. My stance today is only dicated by the culture we live in today... if I had it my way, it wouldn't be an issue. That's my 40 minutes worth of writing... see ya!