Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Malachi151 · 02-03-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

The impact of capitalism on culture and society has been a matter of great debate ever since its emergence in Europe as an economic system in the late 1700s. The impact of capitalism on culture and society is an issue that really stands apart from all of the other economic issues.

In many ways, the cultural impacts of capitalism overshadow all other considerations of the system. It is capitalism’s impact on society that has shaped Western Civilization for the past 200 years.

The cultural impacts of capitalism are extremely varied, and this has left room for its proponents to champion its merits as well as its detractors to criticize its ill effects.

Discussing the impact of capitalism on culture can be difficult. In what way is “capitalism�? responsible for a given aspect of culture, indeed can any aspect of culture be said to be a product of “capitalism�??

Yes, certain aspects of culture and society can be said to be a product of “capitalism�?, but defining how and why something is said to be a product of capitalism is very important.

Some of the key concepts relating to an analysis of the effects of capitalism on culture are profit motive, commodity, human desire, and the market economy. The capitalist system is based on private ownership and consolidation of the means of production, where the production of commodities is guided by profit motive to satisfy human desires.

What capitalism does do is it encourages people, in general, to engage in activity that is deemed valuable by other people. This is what many people see as capitalism’s most positive attribute, and indeed this is an extremely important factor in the ways in which the capitalist system has been successful.

More...

http://www.rationalrevolution.net/ar...sm_culture.htm

Peoples Revolution · 02-03-2005, 03:11 PM

Under the capitalist iron fist, the proleterians have no culture, look at the movies, and T.V. shows, they all show nice houses, nice neighborhoods, when 90 percent of people living under the capitalist regime around the world don't live like that at all, it is not the proleterian culture that is shown at all. Pure straight propaganda.

Our achievements, our struggles are erased out of the history books, they even deny our existence now, by claiming that there are no classes. To them we and our culture never did and doesn't exist at all.

xorbie · 02-03-2005, 03:17 PM

I'm sorry, but which movies exactly are you looking at? If by "capitalist regimes around the world" you are referring to North America and Europe (I'm not really sure what you're referring to though), then the 90% figure is also high.

Of course movies aren't just like reality, but people do live pretty decently, for the most part. And "proletariats" do have culture, and there are movies centered around these cultures.

Peoples Revolution · 02-03-2005, 03:23 PM

So, most people living under a capitalist system, drive nice cars and live in nice houses?

I live on earth, and you?

dismal · 02-03-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peoples Revolution

Under the capitalist iron fist,

I thought it was an "invisible hand"...

Quote:

the proleterians have no culture, look at the movies, and T.V. shows, they all show nice houses, nice neighborhoods,

My Culture is what I see on movies and TV?

If that's true our culture seems to have much to do with muscular men and women with high cheekbones and large breasts. Having car chases.

xorbie · 02-03-2005, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peoples Revolution

So, most people living under a capitalist system, drive nice cars and live in nice houses?

I live on earth, and you?

So do I.

And again, this all depends on what you mean by "nice car" and "nice house."

Also, many movies don't involve BMW's and Beverly Hills mansions, and those that do are not trying to represent society in one way, it's just in that setting because people want in on that lifestyle and have a strange fascination with it.

Endo · 02-03-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peoples Revolution

So, most people living under a capitalist system, drive nice cars and live in nice houses?

I live on earth, and you?

In the U.S., where most of the television and movies are being made, yes, yes they do. Most American TV shows middle class Americans. Most Americans reside in the "middle class". It's not propaganda, it's common sense.

DougP · 02-03-2005, 05:01 PM

I think even more importantly than looking at a place like the United States or Europe is looking at countries like Argentina. They feel the effects of our capitalism just about the worst out of anyone because of things like NAFTA.

-Doug

Peoples Revolution · 02-03-2005, 08:42 PM

Doug P

What on earth could you be talking about?

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverybody lives good under capitalism, and eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverybody is treated fairly.

xorbie · 02-03-2005, 10:13 PM

The obvious sarcasm is really uncalled for, as you haven't even clarified your original "argument," and I'm fairly sure most here would agree with whatever it is.

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02-03-2005, 03:11 PM	#2
Peoples Revolution Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 66	Under the capitalist iron fist, the proleterians have no culture, look at the movies, and T.V. shows, they all show nice houses, nice neighborhoods, when 90 percent of people living under the capitalist regime around the world don't live like that at all, it is not the proleterian culture that is shown at all. Pure straight propaganda. Our achievements, our struggles are erased out of the history books, they even deny our existence now, by claiming that there are no classes. To them we and our culture never did and doesn't exist at all.

02-03-2005, 03:17 PM	#3
xorbie Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Champaign, IL or Boston, MA Posts: 6,360	I'm sorry, but which movies exactly are you looking at? If by "capitalist regimes around the world" you are referring to North America and Europe (I'm not really sure what you're referring to though), then the 90% figure is also high. Of course movies aren't just like reality, but people do live pretty decently, for the most part. And "proletariats" do have culture, and there are movies centered around these cultures.

02-03-2005, 03:23 PM	#4
Peoples Revolution Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 66	So, most people living under a capitalist system, drive nice cars and live in nice houses? I live on earth, and you?

02-03-2005, 05:01 PM	#8
DougP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,441	I think even more importantly than looking at a place like the United States or Europe is looking at countries like Argentina. They feel the effects of our capitalism just about the worst out of anyone because of things like NAFTA. -Doug

02-03-2005, 08:42 PM	#9
Peoples Revolution Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 66	Doug P What on earth could you be talking about? eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverybody lives good under capitalism, and eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverybody is treated fairly.

02-03-2005, 10:13 PM	#10
xorbie Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Champaign, IL or Boston, MA Posts: 6,360	The obvious sarcasm is really uncalled for, as you haven't even clarified your original "argument," and I'm fairly sure most here would agree with whatever it is.

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