> [WS:] It depends how you define capitalism. If it is a value system based
> on the "homo economicus" or "economic rationality" model that treats selfish
> individualism and hoarding of profits at the expense of entire society
> without any obligation to reciprocate as the fundamental norm of human
> behavior - it is an aberration that emerged and gained popularity only very
> recently, some two hundred or so years ago. The norm for humankind was the
> opposite - social solidarity and reciprocity - because it was essential for
> survival.
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Well one could play the essentially contested concept game with capitalism and/or obligation until the cows come home; one need not be a misanthrope to realize that social solidarity and reciprocity have produced ugly historical phenomena as well. What was so great about the forms of social solidarity and obligation in 13th century Europe or Yuan and Ming era China that they should be considered the norm on which to assert capitalism is an historical aberration?
Ian