#CapitalismCritique

[thedearlydepart]

Consumerism and the American Dream

How Communitarianism Offers a Better Path

I identify most with communitarianism. Communitarian cultures prioritize the collective good over individual desires, emphasizing harmony and cohesion within society. While Thought Co. states that "Communitarianism is often considered the opposite of liberalism," (Longley, 2020) modern liberalism, particularly in leftist communities, seeks a balance that allows for self-expression while addressing societal needs to exist peacefully. In contrast, individualist cultures hold self-reliance and personal success in high regard, even if it comes at the expense of the broader community.

In communitarian societies, individuals are considered integral parts of a larger social construct, expected to contribute to the community’s well-being through social, family, and civic responsibilities. Individualist cultures, however, place the highest value on individual rights—such as freedom of choice, speech, and action—even when these rights conflict with the common good. As described by both Thought Co. and the Foundation for Economic Education, classical liberalism embodies these principles, which became the foundation of "liberal democracies" in the free world.

“These individualistic principles became the pillars of the social institutions that now characterize what we call the “free world” (hence the term “liberal” democracies).” (Carroll & Sanchez, 2022)

While individualists believe society exists to support personal freedom and autonomy, communitarians believe in acting in ways that benefit the group. Communitarianism does not reject individual rights like freedom of speech and action. Still, it insists that these rights should not supersede the safety and well-being of the community.

In today’s American society, particularly in Black communities and in the broader cultural context, individualism dominates. This aligns with our focus on capitalism and the "American Dream." While Etzioni points out that tightly-knit communities can hinder individuality and creativity, we've moved beyond that. We now operate in a society where, unless something directly affects us, we often choose not to engage—even within our families. This has led to a culture that breeds widespread unhappiness. One critic notes, "...Our idea of happiness has been transformed to make us better consumers... these values have been co-opted and used to normalize a deeply unjust and undesirable situation." (Illing, 2018)

References

Carroll, P., & Sanchez, D. (2022, July 2). Individualism: A Deeply American Philosophy. FEE.org. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from https://fee.org/resources/individualism-a-deeply-american-philosophy/

Etzioni, A. (2002, May). "The Good Society" by Amitai Etzioni. Seattle University School of Law Digital Commons. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sjsj/vol1/iss1/7?utm_source=digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu%2Fsjsj%2Fvol1%2Fiss1%2F7&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages

Illing, S. (2018, September 4). A history of happiness explains why capitalism makes us feel empty inside. Vox. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/9/4/17759590/happiness-fantasy-capitalism-culture-carl-cederstrom

Longley, R. (2020, June 29). What Is Communitarianism? Definition and Main Theorists. ThoughtCo. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from https://www.thoughtco.com/communitarianism-definition-and-theories-5070063

[haveacupofjohanny]

Capitalism and Corporate Responsibility: Examining the Discarding of Unsold Merchandise

Why are corporations turning a blind eye to helping others? 🤔 This Sunday’s Hot Topic dives into how capitalism pushes profit over people. Join the conversation on ethical business practices! 🌍💡 #SundaysHotTopic #Capitalism #CorporateResponsibility

The Reality Behind Disposing of Unsold Goods In a recent Google search inspired by a conversation on Threads, I uncovered some troubling insights about how corporations handle unsold merchandise, such as remainder books and school supplies. Instead of donating these perfectly usable items to those in need, many retailers opt to discard them. Why is this happening, and what does it say about our…

[normally0]

Harmony Amidst Disruption: Hans Hollein's Architectural Reflections

In the heart of Vienna, amidst the bustling streets and historic architecture, Hans Hollein, the visionary architect, pondered over his latest creation. With a mind fuelled by innovation and a spirit unbound by convention, he sought to challenge the very essence of architecture itself. As he gazed upon his collage of New York City, a city that seemed to pulsate with energy and ambition, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency in his work.

The recent earthquake that rattled the eastern seaboard had stirred something within him. It was as if the earth itself was crying out for change, for a new way of thinking about our relationship with the built environment. And so, in his collage, he depicted a daring vision—a superstructure towering over Manhattan, a symbol of resilience and defiance against the forces of nature.

But as he delved deeper into his creation, he couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of unease. What if his vision was misinterpreted? What if instead of a symbol of hope, his superstructure became a target for those who sought to sow fear and destruction?

In the midst of these troubling thoughts, he remembered the words of his mentor, Clemens Holzmeister, who had once told him that true art lies in understanding the delicate balance between man and nature. And so, with a renewed sense of purpose, Hans Hollein set out to re-evaluate his design, to imbue it with a sense of harmony and reverence for the world around us.

As he worked tirelessly on his collage, he couldn't help but ponder the complex relationship between Austria and America, two nations bound together by history and yet divided by ideology. In the great war of architecture and enlightenment, where capitalism reigned supreme, how could he bridge the gap between these two worlds?

And then it hit him—the key lay not in grand gestures or bold statements, but in the subtle nuances of his art. By harnessing the power of the reversed motor scraper, the very symbol of man's mastery over the earth, he could create something truly revolutionary—a structure that not only defied gravity but also embraced the natural rhythms of the world.

And so, as he put the finishing touches on his collage, Hans Hollein couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. For in that moment, he had not only created a work of art but also a testament to the enduring power of architecture to shape our world and our destiny.

[tonedeafmusiq]

RAISE YOUR MENTAL CAPITAL: Ren's - "Money Game 2" (Breakdown) #renreaction #truth #message The Money Game Series continues...let's dig deeper! #ren #moneygameanalysis #renmoneygame #moneygamebreakdown Explore a thought-provoking analysis of Ren’s song "Money Game Part 1" in this video. We delve into the deep themes of societal control, capitalism, and power dynamics that shape our world. Through its metaphorical visuals and poignant lyrics, the song critiques financial systems and political manipulation, urging self-reflection. Discover how Ren's art challenges societal hypocrisy and the cycle of control that affects us all. Don't miss the chance to join this engaging discussion! Subscribe, like, and share your thoughts below. Original Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YonS9_QJbp8 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Don't Forget To Like, Comment, And Subscribe For More Music!: https://www.youtube.com/@ToneDeafMusiq/?sub_confirmation=1 ✅Stay Connected With Me: 👉 Instagram: https://ift.tt/JH9lU12 👉 Tiktok: https://ift.tt/s1VJ0Qq ========================= ✅ Other Videos You Might Be Interested In Watching: 📀 Ren’s 1M Subs: A Journey That Inspires the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUBmR9CF--4 📀 Kendrick Lamar’s Master Plan: How He Defeated Drake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbBETvHWy-w 📀 The Story Behind Wynand Fourie’s Love Healing ft. The Renegades https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOgYiNRIi40 📀 How Kirby’s Voice Revived My Southern Memories - Black Leaves Breakdown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DFpqje_HwQ ========================= ✅ About Tone Deaf Musiq: “Tone Deaf Musiq” takes the bass and blends the lyrics to hear what you, “the people”, want to hear. In an era of evolving music, our taste changes, but the chords don't! I am the one and only Tone Deaf! When the music is certified, we say it....and if the producer lied....we are NOT going to replay it! Let’s walk through all the different genres of music, compare styles and take a deep dive into what the artist reveals to us. Join me in a journey of the trending, the unheard, the old and the new as we find real music that makes us stay in the moment. Nothing is off limits and if the music moves me, and I promise you, I’ll break down what it means to me and then let’s see how you respond. Music raised me and we all can’t deny that it’s a major influence on all of us. For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: tonedeafmusiq@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe to my channel for more great music: https://www.youtube.com/@ToneDeafMusiq/?sub_confirmation=1 ========================= 🔎 Related Phrases: Ren Money Game, Song Analysis Breakdown, Capitalism and Power, Financial Systems Critique, Ren Song Themes, Political Manipulation Commentary, Greed and Control, Societal Hypocrisy Exposed, Money Game Explained, Ren's Social Commentary, Song Breakdown Insights, Music and Power #capitalismcritique #societalstructures #renreaction #songanalysis #moneyandpower #musiccommentary #songbreakdown #financialsystems #renmusicvideo #politicalcritique #controlandgreed Copyright Notice: The Copyright Laws of the United States recognizes a "fair use" of copyrighted content. The videos and this Youtube channel in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, parody, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. All video is for educational purposes only. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. © Tone Deaf Musiq via Tone Deaf Musiq https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZLAqS6CL8QYYZVpereT1bw January 01, 2025 at 06:33PM