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THERE ARE NO RICH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

THERE ARE NO RICH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. The Economy as Social Institution. Defining Economy. The social institution that governs the management, production, and distribution of human material resources (goods, services, raw materials, and the things we need for survival).

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THERE ARE NO RICH PEOPLE IN THE WORLD

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  1. THERE ARENO RICH PEOPLEIN THE WORLD

  2. The Economyas Social Institution

  3. Defining Economy • The social institution that governs the management, production, and distribution of human material resources (goods, services, raw materials, and the things we need for survival).

  4. Types of Economic Systems:

  5. Capitalism • A way of organizing economic life based on: • Private ownership of productive property • Profit as incentive • Competition between actors in “free markets” • Prices are driven by supply and demand

  6. Socialism • An economic system in which the raw materials and the means of producing and distributing goods and services are collectively owned • Based on the belief that everyone should share equally in the goods and services produced by society

  7. Mixed Economies • Economies that combine features of capitalist and socialist systems, including both the public and private ownership of property and limits on free-market competition.

  8. "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you aren't allowed to criticize"-- Voltaire (1694-1778)

  9. In a relatively free society, whose control is based on ideological hegemony, we might say,"To learn what rules over you, simply find out what you are highly discouraged (threatened with severe social ostracism) from criticizing."

  10. We’re gonna deconstruct and criticizeCAPITALISM just a little bit

  11. We all already know the benefits of capitalism, right? Let’s list some!

  12. Capitalism as a Constructed Reality:

  13. Ideology and the Culture of Capitalism • “Naturalizes” a social construct • Economic rules are understood as “the way it is” • Myths are reinforced as “reality” • E.g. “Free Markets” • Facilitates social control (through consent) • Wealth is evidence of success, poverty is a sign of failure to achieve

  14. Implications of “Naturalized” Capitalism: • Market values trump human values • E.g. Tobacco companies, vacant houses, etc. • Produces quiescent workers • Quiescent = “at rest,” someone who is docile, not agitated • Public goods become private property • E.g. Enclosure movement, privatization of water, healthcare, etc. • Structural problems treated as personal issues • E.g. Poverty, unemployment, etc. • Alternative economic arrangements are not even considered • E.g. Healthcare reform debate

  15. Dilemmas of Capitalism • Clean air vs. national sovereignty

  16. Kyoto Protocol

  17. Dilemmas of Capitalism • Clean air vs. national sovereignty • Property rights vs. human rights

  18. Dilemmas of Capitalism • Clean air vs. national sovereignty • Property rights vs. human rights • Needs of market vs. needs of people

  19. Nike factory in Vietnam

  20. Dilemmas of Capitalism • Clean air vs. national sovereignty • Property rights vs. human rights • Needs of market vs. needs of people • Public health vs. private profit

  21. Dilemmas of Capitalism • Clean air vs. national sovereignty • Property rights vs. human rights • Needs of market vs. needs of people • Public health vs. private profit • Intellectual property vs. art

  22. Dilemmas of Capitalism • Clean air vs. national sovereignty • Property rights vs. human rights • Needs of market vs. needs of people • Public health vs. private profit • Intellectual property vs. art • Trees vs. Jobs

  23. Inequality is an inevitable consequence of capitalism. But the level of inequality we are willing to tolerate is up to us. We are currently experiencing the highest rate of inequality since 1929.

  24. Inequality and Life Chances • Working class and poor people are: • Less likely to go to college • More likely to get arrested, convicted, go to prison, and receive the death penalty than upper class people • More likely to die prematurely

  25. Our economy is worth, roughly,$188 trillion.

  26. Which is split between, roughly,311 million people.

  27. From 2009-2011, 100% of all new income went to the top 1% The bottom 99% actually saw a loss in their income.

  28. Forbes 400 Richest Americans • Have a combined net worth of over $1.54 trillion • Bill Gates = $66 billion • All 400 are billionaires ($1.1—$66 bil.) • About 30 % inheritedtheir wealth • (as of 2013)

  29. Over $200 billion is inherited each year, half of which comes from just 7 percent of estates.

  30. Questions for us to consider:Is a capitalist economy compatible with a democratic society?andHow should we structure our economy if we wish to truly achieve democracy, freedom, and equality?

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