coberst

Values

To understand the global capitalist system one must find a unifying principle.

A market economy allows people to choose values.

Our republican system of government protects rights and expects values to be freely chosen by the citizen.

What is the intrinsic value (an end-in-itself) that an economic system must serve?

There is a very strong cultural influence to accept money as the intrinsic value.

The influences are: the dominant ideology, it serves as a convenient common denominator, it is quantifiable, it is a medium of exchange and most importantly money is power. A capitalistic system emphasizes competition and measures success in monetary terms.

The dominant value in the global capitalist system is money. I suspect it is more correct to say that it is the pursuit of money rather than money itself. I have no personal experience in the matter but it appears to me that many find the pursuit more rewarding than the possession.

Money has always played an important role in society but in this global economy it has no competition. Those who control money are Lords of the Manor and together with the other Lords serve as a sovereign global oligarchy.

This oligarchy functions like an unseen financial jet stream capable of inflicting, at will, feast or famine.

I have not seen Mel Gibson’s movie but have read many reviews. From these reviews it appears that this movie is a manifestation of the value of money in our society. If it works (i.e. makes a buck) everyone will consider you a success, even those who decry your technique

JossWorShipper

Wow, that's a strawman argument if I ever saw one.

Going from broad, general humanities values to values in capitalism, to of course the obvious value of money, to Mel Gibson.

Wow. What a stretch.

That unifying priniciple you ask about is Freedom.

If it works extends a lot further than "makes a buck." And if you don't think it does, than you need to expand your knoweledge outside of the glass bubble you're living in.

And yes, this is the how it works in business. Hollywood is just another business.

And it feels so good when you do something that works, that people have to admit works even though they may have a problem with you or some other petty thing about you and/or the work. I know from personal experience. But also see: Eminem.