True Capitalism
Capitalism is an idea many people have grown up with in today’s society. It is the very basis of the American economy. The idea that one has the capability to do or become anything they desire, provided they have the passion to peruse it. But is this real capitalism, as it can be found in modern society?
Capitalism, ideally, gives anyone in the system the freedom to do or create as they please in the pursuit of a profit. However the idea of individual freedom in the capitalistic system is limited by the very root of the word, capital. Without money, the basis of the capitalistic system does not work. Individuals are only free to create so long as they have the funds to back the idea. Therefore the freedom to create is a luxury only provided to those who do not need to create, thus resulting in an elite group of people amongst whom money is merely shuffled.
Some may point out that there are ways to acquire capital without previously having access to it. Television shows like the American Shark Tank are based on this endeavor. The premise of the show is that there are six “sharks” who are approached by a starry-eyed individual, or group of individuals, which a dream in their heart and a product in hand. The Sharks then negotiate with the product owners exchanging their time, expertise, and money for a portion of the profits earned. While this seems charitable, established entrepreneurs imparting their wisdom of the capitalist system on to new inductees of the market, however looking at the situation from another angle one can clearly see the true motivation behind the Sharks bidding to “assist”. The most notable tell being that the Sharks only make an offer where they see potential profit. And if the negotiations rise to a level where their input would be more than what they would get as a return they retract the offer. This simple desire for the wealthy to maintain their wealth is the true root of capitalism. The rich do everything in their power to either maintain or amass more wealth. Therefore the business elite remain a small group into which very few newbies are initiated.
Capitalism, therefore, is a system which does indeed work. The main point unknown to, or otherwise ignored by, many is that capitalism simply works better for certain individuals, namely those who already have wealth and need a way to hang on to it. Those without the unlimited capital required to jump start success in the capitalist system, the starry-eyed dreamers, are left on the ground only to look up remembering the promise of capitalism and how it does not work in their favor.
