ReThink: Is Capitalism Sustainable?
As the United States continues to suffer from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to reflect and rethink the circumstances that have led up to this moment.
Our modern relationship with nature, or lack thereof, will be a determining factor in how well we manage future pandemics, and other global crises, because climate change is increasing our risks for infectious diseases and detrimental to our overall well-being.
And as I write this from my bedroom in Raleigh, North Carolina where the infection rates are averaging 134 cases per day, I begin to wonder whether or not the systems in place are designed for the people’s best interests.
The overarching system I am referring to is capitalism, with its micro-systems that include healthcare, politics, employment, etc. which are all dictated by capitalistic principles.
In other words, think of capitalism as an umbrella shielding the aforementioned systems beneath it. And since capitalism is controlling the direction these other systems go, it begs the question: Is capitalism sustainable?
In a nutshell, capitalism is an economic and political system of governance driven by maximizing wealth. It also [usually] includes exploiting labor and land in order to make the most money at the lowest possible cost.
Take the fashion industry for example: fast fashion brands like H&M and ZARA, subsidiaries of the Inditex company, have been sourcing cheap labor from Bangladesh and other developing countries without regard for worker safety, health, and well-being. The Rana Plaza Disaster of 2013 in Dhaka, Bangladesh was a tragic consequence of worker neglect from these powerful western companies.
While some may argue that it’s not the responsibility of these companies to ensure worker safety on behalf of their outsourcing partners, it is important to keep in mind the power dynamics at play.
If these larger companies began requiring higher work standards and safety precautions, then it is highly likely that these factories will comply due to the influence and control of big brands. This would [theoretically] prevent disasters like Rana Plaza from happening again, but the cost of production would surely increase. And with the goal of cutting costs, are these companies really incentivized to enforce policy change, or rather to source their labor elsewhere?
And if exploitation of labor, domestic or foreign, is foundational to maximizing wealth, then wouldn’t this suggest a perpetuating divide between upper and lower classes? How then, is it possible for our society to become socially equitable and environmentally conscious, because these two issues cannot be separated, in a capitalistic structure? Where is the incentive for political officials to enact environmental reform and do what is best for marginalized communities when they have stakes in the fossil fuel industry?
This is an overwhelming topic and issue — I know. There are no simple answers to any of these questions, but these are questions that need to be addressed. And while some certifications like the B-Corp Certification, 1% For the Planet members, and Climate Neutral Certification are off to a good start on addressing these issues, they are still functioning under a capitalistic framework. Now the question becomes: Is it enough?
So as the climate crisis continues to worsen and we start running out of time (Read: 18 Months to Save the Planet), our society needs to find a holistic approach to environmental stability and social equity to ensure that everyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, etc. can live and lead lives of dignity.
Whether that approach is capitalism is up for debate.
It’s time to put people before profits.
