Why do people think that Capitalism is repressive?
601777
In politics, class warfare has been used for centuries to attack the more successful.  For those without a lot of resources, these arguments can be appealing because some feel left out or treated unfairly.  However, if the groups that oppose capitalism had there way, economies and the societies would be much worse off.  Cuba, the Soviet Union, Canada and others states have tried alternatives to capitalism, all of which have failed, are failing, or are currently adopting a more capitalistic system.
160446
Very important. People need to be free to express themselves...well, freely. Repressing is not healthy. To any extent they want, so long as it doesn't interfere with the rights of others.
831248
I think the slaves trade didn't cause the capitalism. I think slaves trade was caused by capitalism which came from Industrial Revolution. In capitalist economy, Marx told us, there are two classes: one which hold the money  and one which doesn't. The first is also the one which rules the second is made by... slaves. You can verify it by yourself: if you must have a work to survive, you are a slave; you are free only if you don't need to work for a living.
593006
Show me the $$$MONEY$$$--it's the Amerrcan way of life.  Capitalism, privatizashun, an free enterprize.  If you don't like it, move to some commie country.
1072513
what? these responses are killing me. Love the question though. It takes balls to ask a question like that. \n\nCapitalism isn't evil or wrong on its face; it's the implementation of it that is the problem. The same can be said of any socio-economic construct. We humans have quite a knack for screwing things up and introducing corruption and greed to any system. \n\nCapitalism can be a great motivator, and is the reason our Country has been so successful for generations. But it's gone too far. Greed is the primary indicator of Capitalism these days. From Enron to Union labor to Political lobbying "scandals." We no longer live in a democracy. Our governmental system has been co-opted by Capitalism entirely. Think I'm wrong? Try to run for a National Political Office. I rest my case. That is, unless, dear reader, you are born of privilege, attended the right schools, and are a member of the right organizations (read skull and bones, etc.). In that case, you're a shoe-in for president. Even if you're not one of the chosen and you've worked your way up the ranks from City Council to U.S. Representative, you're doomed to live in Corporation X's pocket, or be damned. Example? Jim Trafficant. Look him up. He wouldn't play ball. "They" kicked him out of the game. game over.\n\nCapitalism won't last forever. My only fear is, what will replace it?\n\n[edit] whoa! ChinaJon!!! i think you just made a few great arguments why Capitalism is awful! It looks great on paper, Capital for growth, etc., but you said it yourself towards the end. Ipods. Why do you think they're made in China? It's not just that it's profitable. It's that it's MORE profitable. Capitalism creates a "race to the bottom." i.e. wherever the lowest front end costs are is where the economic development goes. Used to be Mexico, now China, then Indonesia, and so on. The Golden Age of Capitalism was the U.S. in the 1950's. It was mostly a closed market, and it worked. It was self sustaining because it didn't have to play on the global playing field and compete with much LOWER standards of living in other countries. Less profits, which became unacceptable to the Corporations. They looked for ways to maximize profits, and here we are. \n\nAmerica is not the shining example of prosperity it once was. We have no real middle class any more and it's only getting worse. The class gap is frightening. And we pass more tax cuts for the rich. GO CAPITALISM GO!\n\nmorons.
210507
Previous answers offer very textbook-style responses, but what if the entire mainstream approach to 19th century social/industrial history is flawed?  Entrepreneurs create wealth, but they do not keep it all to themselves.  That's not how enterprise works; only monarchs in conquest gathered wealth without there being trickle-down effects.  The standard of living in the U.S. (for instance) rose dramatically thanks to the so-called robber barons.  This term is a complete misnomer because "robber barons" were neither thieves nor aristocracy!  The phrase is used to discredit their achievements and foment jealousy in anyone who hates people who have something they don't.  Many of us are jealous of anyone who has more money than we do.  Look in the mirror and see if it's true.  \nThere is no such thing as a classless society: the difference that makes the idea of capitalism so "radical" is that unlike in traditional societies under feudalism or a caste system, there will always be opportunities for poorer people to change things in their lives and become wealthier, and richer people to screw up and lose the money they've made or inherited.  That dynamic quality is what makes more capitalistic systems function and makes them better for those societies involved.  The only problem is when government tries to run the show.  Most people are taught that economies must be tampered with by politicians, but this belief serves politics perfectly.  When "unfair business practices" are a societal ill, when monopolies prohibit competition, they exist only with the blessing of the government... and that is NOT capitalism.
290333
Capitalism at least gives people the chance of getting out of poverty.  Communism only the upper party leaders have money.  In communism everyone is poor, everyone has to wait in lines for goods, merchandice is poor quality.\n\nMillions have died because of communism.  Freedom of speech is non-exsistent.  Famines due to government controls.  Communism essentially makes government god.  Give me capitalism and give me freedom.
800427
Welcome to the world of political philosophy vs political propoganda.  Okay a couple of things socialism means that the government has more control over business.  MAking sure there is money for healthcare, welfare, education, etc.  There are many socailistic countries in Europe that are democratic and doing fine.  Communism is further left.  Communism is an economic model and not a political one.  You could have a democratic communism.  What has happenned is a lot of solcialistic dictatorships.  There is yet to be a true communist country.  Unfortunately human greed always ruins communism as it will do with capitalism (according to marx) and there is examples of it starting to happen now (outsourcing jobs for penny wages).  Captilism will expand until it cannot expand any further and then collapse upon itself (basically once the rich have starved the poor whats left?).  It is a very confusing issue.   Anarchy is a political model and I would say is the opposite of socialism...which is no governemnt at all.  However I have been an anarchist for awhile, not because of punk, but because I have no faith in the politcal process today.  Too much business influence and lobbyists to really help most individuals.  But the pistols do rock.
459959
For our friends that pick communism Explain why it failed.  I grant you the fantasy sounds great.  The reality produces less for all.\n\nPure Capitalism will not work either not one is greedy enough.  Greedy enough means being willing to work hard enough to make sure no one else can restrict your life style.\n\nBy that definition pure capitalism is very inefficient both for labor and capital.  The US with all its faults maybe the best we are going to get.\n\nOur Taxing policy is a bit funny also.  The individual (except maybe for the extremely high payed ones)are paid by what society feels they are worth. Then the taxman says since society feels you are so valuable you can donate by force money for the good of the rest. \n\nEnjoy the 1st Worlds life style while you can.  When the energy that makes it possible drys up so will the economy! There are 2 caveats to this statement we could go Nuclear or  the economics of Renewable Energy has to change.  Renewable Energy will never be directly economically viable unless our energy bill skyrockets after the infrastructure is installed or 2 international governments donate/invest a large enough plot of land to make private investor set up and take notice.  This land must be of little value for the politician's constituents to allow it, but the designer must see a way to change the value that is large enough to subsidize the infrastructure.
227202
This is a warring culture that takes advantage of the weak and the poor. They call it capitalism an it is severely cruel to those below the poverty lines. Beneath the poverty lines are a subculture obsessed with violence. Some members of this subculture form gangs that run drugs and stolen goods through the black market. They also take advantage of others  who are poor and or weaker than they are.\n There are many in these cultures and subcultures who continue a bloody tradition of destroying and decimation of those not part of their belief system. the majority of the people in this country are blind to the evil doings of our government or they support it. Some of this includes racisms, Puritanism, social and religious segregation.. With in the last two years the "middle class of this country were swallowed up by the ballooning inflation generated by a greedy, selfish, heartless, cold and  capitalistic machine.
1142658
Many people like to control others. They believe that unless they are in control, then they must be victims. It's an all-or-nothing zero-sum game to them.\n\nAnd many people like to impose their beliefs on others, because it justifies (to them) that what they believe is valid. If someone disagrees, that is a challenge and a threat, and all threats must be destroyed. At least, that's how many fundamentalist mindsets work.
374819
Now a days people misuse the term democracy to mean capitalism. Sometimes they go together, but they are two very different concepts that can exist indepent of each other too.
874339
i ll tell you what i think...\nbecause it is against a lot of people who benefit the non-freedom environment, such as authority religious or governmental etc..\nso when some people gain freedom, sure they had to struggle and pay the price for that because they surely will find lots and lots of powerful opposers..
1023297
Ha. The "commies" are truly viewed as ev-il and injust, only because of Stalin and the other soviets who mucked up Marx's ideals! \n\nThe ignorance surrounding communism is outrageous.  People will never know that communism was supposed to benefit the whole and that the "Proletariat" was the group that misinterpreted and ruined it.  Also, they don't know that Marx had ideas for an INDUSTRIAL country to adopt his theories not an AGREGARIAN country like China. \n\nIgnorance is the key here. If people under 18 don't go to college, don't read Marx and have parents that grew up in the 50's and 60's the answer is YES. There is an anticommie sentiment prevelant here.
119707
Just business.  If you believe in capitalism, this is it.  You cannot just support capitalism because the owners of the business are white American.  Our companies own many foreign companies.  Our oil companies work with many foreign countries.
671585
its called beuracracy and capitalism. \n\nthey want money, and they make the rules.  tough luck for the common man.
932646
Society is far from fair, but so is life anyway.  the real problem i have with "radical" liberals is when they go so far, that they want to take apart the morals and values of society, and turn everything that is wrong, and make it right.\n\nI also find that while liberals scream "tolerance" they are hypocritical in that they tear apart any others who disagree with them, with out a logical argument.  (Not all, but many)\n\nanother thing i learned about liberals, is that, yes, they want a fair chance for every one.  but if you look at the welfare system, and how it really works, you will find that it, in itself, represses people and keeps them poor.  It exist on purpose.  so that the working class will have jobs.  (and they still struggle)The welfare system doesn't take kids away from rich people, just the poor.  A recipient of the welfare system gets 10 cents, while the welfare institution gets 90 cents out of every dollar.  the more people they keep poor, the more money they get.  society is set up for the haves and have nots.  \n\nLiberalism is just a new name for socialism.  The rich will never give up their riches and share.  They live off the lower classes and force the middle classes to take up the slack in taxes.  Then the poor are used as scapegoats, so that the rich can blame the poor for the ills of society, while in reality, all the institutions in society are set up so that "the rich stay rich" and the poor stay poor" no matter how hard you work.  There are few exceptions.  \n\nThere is no eason for poverty in our country, and if you were to put every single able working body to work, you wouldn't have enough jobs to go around anyway, and many jobs are with out any benefits, and pay too little.  so the rich can get richer.\n\nAlot of things about this country need reform, but to go with liberalism will eventually lead to totalitarian control, which would then, take away the freedoms we cherish.  \n\nBasically you can trace many of societies problems to greed.  When you see the values and morals of society coming undone, you know someone has been working hard to keep their positions of power.