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Is Capitalism a Game of the Survival of the Fittest?

Posted by dbhalling 9 years, 7 months ago to Philosophy
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It is quite common to be in a discussion about economics and proposing a capitalist solution when someone pipes-in “that’s just survival of the fittest.” What they are talking about is “Social Darwinism” and the image they mean to conjure up is that capitalism is like a bunch of gladiators fighting it out to the death until there is just one winner. Unfortunately, this tends to trip many of us because we often say that capitalism is about competition and that competition is what makes America great.

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  • Posted by coaldigger 9 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Some terms are just thrown around that are supposed to shame someone who disagrees into accepting a position based on no facts. social Darwinism is just one of those terms. All systems on earth are governed by natural law. In the short term you can defeat nature but she will win out. I am sure some "enlightened" but irrational Egyptian built a pyramid upside down but it isn't around today because gravity finally won. Social systems are no different. Societies flourish because they are based on strong, natural principles of human nature. Overtime the principles are abandoned and the structure crumbles. Capitalism is based on raw nature where the dominate specimen gets the most rewards but the opportunity of any member is not impaired by artificial acts of a third party. There is always an alternative that can be discovered by the human mind and no one dominates that stands still. Standard Oil consistently improved production and lowered its prices to protect its monopoly in kerosene for lighting. Breaking up Standard Oil did nothing in the market place and Edison's light bulb would have broken the monopoly anyway. Capitalists consider others not as pawns but as customers, vendors and potential competitors.
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    Posted by james464 9 years, 7 months ago
    Ok so where do Social Darwinism and Capitalism cross paths?

    I would argue that a pure capitalistic society with no regard for anyone else but the satisfaction of one's own desires crosses paths with Social Darwinism more than we want to suggest.

    There is no reason for the capitalist to consider anyone else to have value equal or or above himself when there is no attribution of that value external to the capitalist. Others are only pawns to such a person.
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  • Posted by Technocracy 9 years, 7 months ago
    Great article.

    Collectivism kills innovation which stifles wealth creation.
    Monopolies kill innovation which stifles wealth creation.

    Only competition stimulates innovation, but it requires that innovation be allowed freedom. Both monopoly and collectivism prevent this, from opposite directions. One can make the case that the less capitalistic we have become, the more the pace of innovation has slowed.

    The less competition in any given field, the more likely changes are to be incremental/evolutionary rather than disruptive/revolutionary.

    Neither a monopoly or collective wants revolutionary change, it disrupts the status quo they want to maintain.
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  • Posted by edweaver 9 years, 7 months ago
    Great article! Great points!
    Capitalism lifts all boats. Crony capitalism lifts some and sinks others.
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