Paragraph Summaries
Some businesspeople are greedy and do not have a conscience, however Wilder believes that capitalism does not necessarily require greed. According to Barbara Wilder in her article, "Greed Despoils Capitalism," ethical business practices are the only way that everyone does not come away a loser from business. Wilder believes that Adam Smith, the father of Western capitalism, would be outraged and disgusted by the unethical business practices that corporations have shown in recent years. Ethics, dignity, and character are associated, in an ideal world, with wealth and capitalism. Democracy and capitalism are philosophically mingled, and the American Dream itself depends on capitalism to thrive. Capitalism thrives through the people, regardless of the system at large, and the businesses and jobs that are created by a capitalistic system provide wealth for all. When big business CEOs are unethical, it is not the fault of capitalism, but rather a direct dismissal of the values of capitalism. The economy of the future must be based not on greed or fear, but on integrity and care for all humans. While hugely successful entrepreneurs have often been criticized a
David Korten shares his belief that the values of the free market system are not necessarily consistent with "the good life." Business policies and practices undermine justice and economic stability for the majority of the population. The American economy is not serving both our materialistic needs and our ethical and spiritual ones. Sacrificing the best interests of others, and the community and nation itself, is what gets the wealthy more money and success. Political agenda supports this corrupted society. There are many myths that contribute to this basic philosophy. There is a myth that growth in aggregate economic output is a valid measure of human well-being and progress. In actuality things like gun sales to minors and needing to clean up oil spills generate economic activity, but they are not beneficial to human progress or well-being. There is a myth that technology frees us from environmental restraints on economic growth. However, the increase in economic output has burdened the environment, and the finite resources are reaching their limitations. There is a myth that an open and unregulated "free" market is the fairest and most efficient way to allocate society's resources. However, a market economy responds only to those with money, and does not respond to those without any money, which is not democratic at all. There is a myth that the only alternative to a free market economy is a state-planned command economy, but even in America during post-WWII, a democratic process designed a framework of rules for the market. There is a myth that trade agreements are about trade, and that open economic borders are beneficial for everyone, and that economic globalization is a consequence of immutable historical forces. Most trade agreements are about the rights of corporations, and greater rights for
Some common words found in the essay are:
David Korten, Spirit Enterprise, Fight Club, American Dream, Adam Smith, Andrew Potter, Despoils Capitalism, Ford Carnegie, Stop Shopping, free market, market system, free market system, Don Matthews, spirit enterprise, hate consumerism can't, economic growth, can't stop, true spirit, hate consumerism, true spirit enterprise, sell hate, sell hate consumerism, market economy, can't stop shopping, successful entrepreneurs,
Approximate Word count = 1234
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
