#041: What is capitalism and why should you care? (ft. Richard Wolff)
May 17, 2021
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Marxian economist Richard Wolff joins us to define capitalism, socialism, and communism. He explains the historical relationships and tensions between those who own property and those who do not. Wolff discusses the heated debates and criticisms of capitalism and the lag in understanding these ideas in America. The podcast also explores how capitalism and the business model impact different fields, the demotion of universities, the connection between capitalism and mental health, the reasons for ignoring exploitation under capitalism, and the rise of worker co-ops as an alternative.
Capitalism's organization of production can create feelings of helplessness and vulnerability, leading to a sense of learned helplessness and potential depressive states.
Exploitation within capitalist systems can contribute to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, due to a lack of control and agency.
The conflict between individuals' personal sense of self and the realities of capitalism highlights the need for systemic change to align internal fulfillment with equitable economic structures.
Deep dives
The Influence of Capitalism on Mental Health
The podcast discusses how capitalism impacts mental health. It criticizes the depoliticized nature of the mental health field and the focus on individual therapy rather than addressing structural and systemic factors. The episode highlights how the organization of production in capitalism, such as the employer-employee relationship, can create feelings of helplessness and vulnerability, leading to a sense of learned helplessness and potential depressive states. It suggests that individuals often accept this as normal, resulting in a lack of agency and a reluctance to challenge the status quo.
The Power of Common Sense
Marxist theory points out that people's common sense is influenced by the specific context in which they live, particularly the capitalist system. Common sense often promotes the status quo and reinforces the business-like model, where employees are expected to comply with the decisions made by employers and have limited control over their workplace conditions. This mindset becomes a barrier to alternative ways of thinking and can contribute to mental health issues, as individuals may feel trapped and powerless within this system.
The Mental Health Ramifications of Exploitation
The discussion explores the connection between exploitation and mental health. It emphasizes how individuals in capitalist systems may experience depression and anxiety due to their lack of control and agency. When workers are deemed as losers or employers perceive themselves as winners, it perpetuates the power dynamics of capitalism, creating a sense of isolation, frustration, and a fear of admitting exploitation. Furthermore, socialization processes, such as upbringing and cultural beliefs, contribute to internalized oppressive norms, fragmented families, and loneliness.
The Conflict Between Personal Sense of Self and Capitalist Realities
The podcast raises questions about the conflict individuals face reconciling their personal sense of self with the realities of capitalism. The discussion explores the cognitive dissonance that arises when workers recognize the value they contribute to the capitalist system, yet are unable to fully realize their worth. This conflict can lead to a lack of fulfillment and dissatisfaction with the status quo, questioning the individualistic notion that personal exertion can overcome systemic issues. The episode suggests the need for systemic change to align individuals' internal sense of self with the realities of equitable economic structures.
The Influence of Capitalism on the Family Unit
The podcast discusses how the structure of the family unit in the United States, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one's family over collective action. It traces the historical development of the family structure in France after the revolution and highlights the influence of capitalism in shaping the hierarchical family model. The podcast argues that this individualistic focus on the family unit has limited Americans' collective consciousness and hindered their engagement in social and political movements.
The Viability of Worker Co-ops as an Alternative to Capitalism
The podcast presents worker cooperatives as a viable alternative to capitalist enterprises. It showcases examples like the Mondragon Corporation in Spain and the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, where worker cooperatives have thrived. The podcast emphasizes the democratic nature of worker co-ops, where decisions are made collectively and each worker has an equal say. It also addresses the increasing interest in socialism and encourages listeners to engage in conversations about alternative economic systems, promoting the understanding that socialism can offer solutions to the inherent injustices of capitalism.
Marxian economist Richard Wolff joins us for this episode to help us define our terms. What do we mean when we use words like capitalism, socialism, and communism? Wolff begins his explanation by describing different kinds of relationships and tensions between who has owned property throughout history and who has not. Relationships between slave owner and slave, feudal lord and serf, and capitalist employer and employee, all share some commonalities through history and during each historical period there have been both supporters and critics of each economic system. Wolff explains that although in the US, Karl Marx has been made into an almost cartoon-like villain largely due to the 20th century's "Red Scare," that Marx was just one of many critics of capitalism who believed capitalism was born and would die, followed by eventually systems we might call socialism and communism. Wolff makes clear that definitions of socialism and communism have always been heatedly debated, as has been the question of how we are to move from capitalism to socialism, but Americans in particular are only now coming out of decades long hibernation -- having lagged behind the rest of the world in understanding these ideas, discussing and debating them, and applying all of this to their own lives and societies.
After Professor Wolff's explanation, Harriet and Max share thoughts about how these economic systems impact how people see themselves, their relationships to others, their identification with different kinds of social groups and activities, their sense of purpose and meaning, and their ability to imagine new possibilities within their own and other people's lives.
ATTENTION! This is a Boring Dystopia/Obligatory 'don't sue us' message: This podcast provides numerous different perspectives and criticisms of the mental health space, however, it should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your medical professional with regards to any health decisions or management.
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