this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2023
667 points (80.7% liked)

Showerthoughts

30042 readers
989 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Iron_Lynx 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I've seen several thought experiments about capitalism, and letting it run to its extreme conclusion.

  • Attempt one, with the theoretical best starting conditions, devolved into feudalism
  • Attempt two, which assumed people knew how attempt one ended up and where they wanted to do everything they could to prevent that from happening again, concluded towards theocracy, since capitalism ignores religion, which can become a coercive power structure, separate from capitalism or government.
  • Attempt three, where everyone knew how the previous two experiments went, did away with money, and replaced it with an economy based on service contracts, evolved into communism.
[–] Screeslope 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Sounds like interesting reading, could you please add a link or reference?

[–] Iron_Lynx 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

More likely viewing. I'll update the previous post in a minute.

And I'll have to stress: it's specifically about anarcho-capitalism, with the explicit removal of any government. You'll keep hearing far-right conservatives insist that the best way to run the market is to keep the government out of it. Anarcho-capitalsim is that thing's platonic ideal, no need to wonder about the government being involved if there's no government involved.

As you'll see, at best that causes way more problems than a governed system causes. At worst, it creates a load of problems that a governed system prevents.

[–] Screeslope 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the links!