Saturday, November 12, 2011

Anyone can make it in capitalism

It is true that anyone can get rich in capitalism it is equally true that not everyone can. That would be a nonsense. Anyone who has some ability or any group with collective ability can jump through the hoops set in place by capitalism and come out on top. Therefore it is possible for those at the bottom to rise up and displace those at the top. In fact it happens all the time. It can also happen with countries. Any size of group in fact can by dedicating themselves to growth can become rich very quickly. They have to be willing to do what it takes of course. If you are willing to exploit workers and take a calculated risk you can start a business of one sort or another and quickly become top dog. If a group of workers are willing to exploit their own talents and labour they too can become wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. This is all allowed within capitalism. You can start a vegetable box scheme or a small hairdressing emporium or a window cleaning round with very little outlay. Any working person or even an unemployed worker can do this. At the same time these self employed workers can meet together for collective advantage. They can also, if they choose, come together to discuss a future socialism. There is no incompatibility in being in business, or for that matter being very very rich and being socialist. There is a danger that upon becoming rich a person would become less socialist minded. This would be less so in a group in which socialist principles were held to be of the utmost importance. Living well now and dedicated to a future in which everyone can live well is not a contradiction. This is especially so if in these businesses the customers of the groups were given a good deal so that they too benefited even before socialism were possible. There is no special kudos in being a worker employed by a capitalist company. There is nothing wrong with being self employed or a member of a Limited liability partnership for instance and accumulating capital in the form of land and holdings and everything else that goes with tax efficient business structures. And there is nothing to stop such groups using their facilities to promote socialism. In one sense, if you can't beat them, join them. Utilise all that capitalism has to offer to get on top. Or stay down at the bottom and complain and moan but do nothing about it. Everyone has choices.

Cheers,

Bob
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Yesterday I saw a sign outside a hairdresser in Swansea: hair extensions 150. I thought, blimey you could start a business for 150. And it is workers who are paying this sort of crazy money for foppery. Madness, don't they know the world is in crisis?

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