Complexities of Capitalism and Aggregate Impact

Capitalism involves individual choices within a market-based system, where people have autonomy and free choices. However, individual choices can have carryover effects, such as the impact of everyone buying big cars leading to pollution. Similarly, individual pursuit of excessive standards and work can create societal pressure for everyone to do the same, leading to a culture of overwork and excessive consumption. This critique at the heart of capitalism is the need for perpetual growth, which can have significant aggregate impact on society.