> How much longer can a livable earth endure capitalism?
>
> I assume no significant environmental protection while capitalism survives.
>
> "Livable" -- for population of at least 1 billion. Capitalism, regardless
> of
> what we do, is going to slaughter a few billion.
> Carrol
>
>
>
I think you are both too too optimistic and too pessimistic. If we continue down our current path with capitalism that faces little effective opposition (at least from inside the richest nations) then the result will not JUST be the death of billions but real collapse into what is neither capitalism or socialism, but universal misery during a transition to feudal or hunter gatherer in world whose climate is not really suitable to survival by feudal or hunter gatherer means. That is the sense in which you are overoptimistic. On the other paw when effective opposition will develop is not predictable. And neither is what it will achieve. Maybe an opposition will develop that succeeds in overthrowing capitalism. Or maybe such an opposition will develop and NOT succeed in overthrowing capitalism but will extract very significant concessions which safe capitalism from itself, and us from complete destruction by its current force. Neither successful revolution nor successful radical reform are likely. But neither can they be completely ruled out. The great hope always is that the future is uncertain. The difference between pessimism and realism is the recognition of that uncertainty.
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