Capitalism is the most efficient system possible for concentrating the wealth in hands of as few people as possible.

@yogthos Scandinavian one, really?

@kravietz Sweden is an interesting case study https://tribunemag.co.uk/2019/08/the-social-democratic-road-to-socialism

I think capitalism has a fundamental problem that it accumulates the wealth in the upper class. Then this class starts using this wealth to influence policy in their favor creating a downward spiral. So the setup seems like it's inherently fragile.

@yogthos If both USA and Sweden have capitalist economy, and in one the accumulation happens, and in the other it doesn't, then the capitalist economy isn't the root cause. Let's just apply some scientific thinking here.

@kravietz the article shows that the more capitalist Sweden gets the worse life becomes for the average person though. Socialism and democracy keep capitalism in check, but the capitalists continuously work to undermine socialist policies. And it's an inherently asymmetric relationship because capitalists are the ones with the wealth.

@yogthos Because market economy generates wealth in general. Then it's only matter of redistribution. US does it poorly, Scandinavian countries - much better.

Marxian economy is economics of shortages, for everyone and arbitrary redistribution by the ruling party.

@kravietz the distribution of wealth is precisely the problem, and I think it's an inherent problem. Scandinavian countries are in a fragile balance right now, and Sweden example that I linked shows that the balance is eroding.

And I don't really understand what you mean by this to be honest:

Marxian economy is economics of shortages, for everyone and arbitrary redistribution by the ruling party.

@kravietz another issue that you have to take into account is that ALL capitalist countries, including Scandinavia, are built on top of exploitation of third world countries where majority of the goods are manufactured. That has to be considered as part of the overall system.

@yogthos Are there any countries not based on some form of exploitation? USSR? North Korea?

@kravietz how was USSR based on exploitation, you'll have to elaborate some more on that.

@yogthos In the first placd, millions of GULag prisoners were used for unpaid labour. But even regular workers had no right to strike, wages were insufficient to satisfy basic living needs and protests were suppressed without mercy (Novocherkassk massacre 1962).

@kravietz it's completely absurd to claim that gulags were a major source of economic production in USSR. Also, in reality workers had unions, and overall much better working conditions than many workers in the West have today. Claiming otherwise is simply disingenuous.

@yogthos Can you elaborate what is the use of an union if you have no right to strike and are shot to death if you go on the street to protest?