The Critique of Capitalism's Role in Social Change

Peter Singer addresses a common critique against his work, which suggests that efforts to alleviate social issues like animal rights or global poverty merely patch the flaws of a fundamentally flawed capitalist system. The argument posits that Singer's work distracts from the need for a revolutionary overhaul of capitalism, as the system is inherently exploitative. In response, Singer emphasizes that despite the failings of capitalism, historical data illustrates significant global progress, with declining poverty rates and improving life expectancy. He asserts that acknowledging these advancements is essential, and rather than waiting for a collapse, the focus should be on using the existing capitalist framework to enhance living standards and address systemic issues.