[lbo-talk] Capitalism: the Systematic Looting of Society

Peter Hart Ward pward at peterhartward.com
Sun Feb 10 20:20:23 PST 2008


I propose for the next addition of the Oxford Dictionary a new definition of 'capitalism': 'The systematic looting of society'. An honest survey of the facts would seem to bear this definition out as both a more accurate as well as more inclusive definition than any previously suggested. To say, as the current dictionary version does, that it is 'an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state' is not quite accurate--in fact, the state and population, often against their will, have an integral role. Admittedly, and for better or worse, a paradox presents itself: capitalism can only continue so long as there's mutual theft; eventually, it would seem, its own success would destroy it.


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