Why America's Capitalist System Is Failing

627 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social inequality in the us

Why America's Capitalist System Is Failing

The American capitalist system works in a way that enables a small percentage of the population to live in utmost comfort with a large percentage of the country’s money and power. The majority of them get to this position through affiliation, and the lesser of them contrastingly through many years of hard work and struggle through a system that forces assimilation prior to incorporation. The majority of the population either lingers in the middle-class working for big businesses, whose ethical role in society they have no say in, or own a business that puts the responsibility of the lives of several shareholders in their hands. The remainder of society lives off of these people; cleaning, cooking, or serving for them. The only difference between this economic system and the old caste system in India is that the Americans can move between castes only by denying their moral beliefs.

Take, for example, the current president George Bush; his business skills did not permit his original business endeavors to succeed. He was actually a drunken party-boy, until the expectations to live up to his family name pressed him to seek success. Despite his disqualifications, the Bush name enabled him to overcome his bad investments and eventually receive a well-paying office job that required little of him. In contrast to a man that came from a less-renowned family, this young man’s lack of characteristics that generally evoke succe...

Show More
Related

  • The Death Of Horatio Alger Analysis

    274 Words  | 1 Pages

    Paul Krugman, in his article “The Death of Horatio Alger” suggests that social mobility among classes in the United States is becoming more difficult by the day. Krugman explains that the idea of the American Dream and moving from class to class was once semi easily attainable; but is now seemingly impossible. Although America is thought of as a classless society, the country has a whole is moving into a caste society run by the rich.

    Read More

  • Wealth and Power of The Upper Class: An Organized Elite

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    G. William Domhoff is by trade a psychologist and sociologist and is the author of several books on the theory of power and class structure. In his book, Who rules America Now? Domhoff provides an in depth analysis of the structure of wealth and power in America. He asserts the existence of an institutional upper class in America that is able to dictate/direct the politics, economy and government by virtue of its wealth and power. I contend that Domhoff through his analysis of the wealth and power structure of the American upper class can be considered as a lay cultural theorist. This is based upon his identification of the cultural processes of the upper class - those learned shared patterns of behaviors and interactions that allow them to “sustain and optimize opportunities and forms of sociality” (Stryker 2011), for survival. In this paper, I will argue the existence of an institutional upper class in America identified by its infrastructure, wealth and power. (Domhoff 2005) This class is a minority in terms of population, in particular the 5% of this social class who possess the majority of wealth in this nation. They have “the ability to set the terms under which other groups and classes must operate” (Domhoff 2005).

    Read More

  • Capitalism: Where Do We Come From?

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    In today's society, there are many forces that shape the world. Three forces that have a major impact are Capitalism, Globalization, and the Natural Environment. These forces all play major roles in either influencing or informing my lived experiences.

    Read More

  • The Americanness of The Great Gatsby

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    The novel argues despite the social class of one’s family/ pedigree an individual can overcome social barriers to be successful. With sufficient hard work it is possible for even the most unlikely members of society to enjoy the comforts of wealth. This novel in distinctly American because of the setting of the story, the structure of the society, the profound self made success story and enduring perseverance, the fundamental root of the American Dream.

    Read More

  • The American Dream: A False Sense of Hope

    1532 Words  | 4 Pages

    In our country’s long history, there have been many similar accounts of these events. From the stories of Horatio Alger to multiple classic Disney films to some of the world’s most famous celebrities, there has always been a time where a person has risen from a lower economical ranking to being successful and wealthy. Surprisingly however, the concept of the American Dream is a fairly new i...

    Read More

  • Narcissism In Death Of A Salesman

    1198 Words  | 3 Pages

    The toxicity of success is portrayed through famous literary works such as The Great Gatsby and The Death of a Salesman, while dealing with an overarching theme of American success. F. Scott Fitzgerald beautifully portrays a wealthy upper class society in The Great Gatsby, which has extreme corruption, hidden by it’s allure, while much of this upper class is pompous and selfish, as well as being so heavily judgemental that is it difficult to be accepted by these people. Arthur Miller’s The Death of a Salesman uses the narcissistic Willy Loman to shine light on the capitalist, middle class America, who’s life revolves around superficial success, which represents the overall flaw in the capitalist system: proclivity; this leads

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Capitalism In Today's Society

    1508 Words  | 4 Pages

    Divisions within the social stratum is a characteristic of societies in various cultures and has been present throughout history. During the middle ages, the medieval feudal system prevailed, characterized by kings and queens reigning over the peasantry. Similarly, in today’s society, corporate feudalism, otherwise known as Capitalism, consists of wealthy elites dominating over the working poor. Class divisions became most evident during America’s Gilded Age and Progressive era, a period in time in which the rich became richer via exploitation of the fruits of labor that the poor persistently toiled to earn. As a result, many Americans grew compelled to ask the question on everyone’s mind: what do the rich owe the poor? According to wealthy

    Read More

  • Corruption Of Christianity In Public Schools

    1872 Words  | 4 Pages

    Introduction: Neither the resolve of patriots nor the labor of men freed Americans from the hands of tyranny. The fathers of this nation, as well as those who fought for her ability to prosper were united by their unwavering faith and trust in God. The future of this world lay heavily upon their shoulders, yet they carried the burden willingly for the duration of their lives and passed it down from generation to generation. As a result, a new nation was born and grew into one of the most powerful countries of the world. Although America began as a Christian nation, it has pulled away from the fundamental beliefs that held this nation together. Despite their ancient predecessor’s emphasis on faith and Christianity, the current government has taken a more secular path. The legality of abortion and the exclusion of religious references in public institutions are a couple of examples how morality has been corrupted within the government. Society itself also forsakes the religious path, twisting the concept of morality to fit the lifestyles they wish to lead. David Barton uses line graphs to demonstrate the decrease of morality since 1950. Violent behavior, the circulation of sexually transmitted diseases, and the birth rate for unwed girls, has drastically inclined while educational achievement and family stability have dropped at an accelerated rate (242). It is apparent through the government’s choices, the media, and the attitudes present in average society that Americans have drifted far away from the principles on which this country was founded. Without a genuine faith and trust in God, American society will continue to deteriorate until memories of a once great nation are all that remains.

    Read More

  • Why Corporations Are Bad for America

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    A corporation was originally designed to allow for the forming of a group to get a single project done, after which it would be disbanded. At the end of the Civil War, the 14th amendment was passed in order to protect the rights of former slaves. At this point, corporate lawyers worked to define a corporation as a “person,” granting them the right to life, liberty and property. Ever since this distinction was made, corporations have become bigger and bigger, controlling many aspects of the economy and the lives of Americans. Corporations are not good for America because they outsource jobs, they lie and deceive, and they knowingly make and sell products that can harm people and animals, all in order to raise profits.

    Read More

  • Class Distinctions in America

    5794 Words  | 12 Pages

    The ideal concept of American society is one in which all of the citizens are treated equal in all every realm and situation. Class, race or gender does not divide the utopian America; everyone is afforded the same opportunities and chances for success. In this chimerical state Americans are able to go as far as their dreams allow and with hard work and perseverance any thing is possible. Many Americans subscribe to this pluralist view of the Country, believing that within our democratic system it is the majority who maintains control and sets policy. Unfortunately this idyllic country does not exist nor has it ever existed. America is made up of distinct social classes and the movement within those classes is for the most part, limited to the various classes in the middle where the lines of demarcation are blurred. Although the majority of the Country's population would attest to the myth that America is a classless society, the distinctions definitely exist and influence the entire life scope of most Americans. Housing, health care, education, career prospects and social status are all dependent on the amount of wealth one has and their class standing. Our system needs the built in inequities of the class system in order to perpetuate itself and the upper class needs to have their interests as the dominant determiner of corporate and governmental power and policy.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of William Domhoff's Who Rules America

    1118 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Domhoff’s investigation into America’s ruling class is an eye-opening and poignant reading experience, even for enlightened individuals regarding the US social class system. His book, Who Rules America, exploits the fundamental failures in America’s governing bodies to provide adequate resources for class mobility and shared power. He identifies history, corporate and social hierarchy, money-driven politics, a two-party system, and a policy-making process orchestrated by American elites amongst a vast array of causes leading to an ultimate effect of class-domination theory pervading American society. In articulating his thesis and supporting assertions, Domhoff appeals rhetorically toward an audience with prior knowledge of America’s

    Read More

  • Government Providing for the Poor

    585 Words  | 2 Pages

    "In the Middle Ages men were united by custom and prescription into associations, ranks, guilds, and communities of various kinds. These ties endured as long as life lasted. Consequently, society was dependant, throughout all its details, on status, and the tie, or bond, was sentimental. In out modern state, and in the United States more than anywhere else, the social structure is based on contract, and status is of the least importance." This quote by William Graham Sumner in his 1883 speech "What Social Classes Owe to Each Other" illustrates my main focus of this week's proposed question, "Does American Government have an obligation to provide for the poor?" Sumner supports that the American Government does not have an obligation to provide for the poor because in America, all people have the opportunity to work hard and bring themselves out of poverty, where in Europe and their other native lands, people were trapped in a caste system in which they could not escape. In America, there was is a defined class system in which those living in the society were confined and hard work, followed by success, is a luxury offered in America. By living in a free state like America, Sumner says, its citizens live equally among one another in a society based on a contract, which allows the most leeway for individual developments and successes. Every man must fend for himself in this society that allows for personal establishment. Sumner also says, "It follows, however, that one man, in a free state, cannot claim help from, and cannot be charged to give help to, another." He directly says that it cannot be imposed upon the American Government that hard-working tax-paying citizens should have to financially assist the plight of the poor. The Populist Party Platform of 1892 says in its second declaration that "Wealth belongs to him that creates it...If any will not work, neither shall he eat." The Populist Party realized that men were fully entitled to their earned keep and should they not work, they should not be provided for by the government, especially not by collected tax money.

    Read More

  • Capitalism: Good or Evil?

    1868 Words  | 4 Pages

    Along with the advance and development of the society, capitalism is acquired by lots of countries among the world. But in the meantime, an increasing number of problems are brought to our attention, one of which is the pros and cons of capitalism. As to whether it is a blessing or a curse, people take different attitudes. Capitalism can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Europe, and this economic system has been contributing to the whole human race for centuries. However, people are attaching more importance to what capitalism is really doing to us, and they start wondering if another world is possible. My paper will focus on the question “Is capitalism good or evil”, and discuss different views about it.

    Read More

  • Theories Of Inequality

    787 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to conflict theorist Carl Marx, inequality is a functional part of America’s capitalist society. In this society, inequality is passed on generationally and enforces social stratification. Domination in this society comes from those who have economic control and power. Based off of his theory, Marx suggests that there are two fundamental classes of people, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

    Read More

  • The True Success And Happiness: The Definition Of Success

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    The mighty and elite are not the only people capable of being successful. Everyone wants to be successful, and anyone can be if they are given a chance (Bond, 1). Success, then, is not about being wealthy or well known; success is about desire and ambition. While achieving dreams often leads to happiness, high-profile bankruptcies illustrate that money can generate more issues. Therefore, being a millionaire or having an abundance of cash does not substantiate the definition of success. However, this does not mean the rich and famous cannot also be successful. This is especially true if the famed individual fought and struggled for their status, all while maintaining a sense of humility. Professional NFL athlete, J.J. Watt, is a perfect example of this sentiment. Watt’s achievements are not because he is a well-known football player or because he has money. His successes are due to his passion and dedication to achieve his desires. When Watt talks about an important game, he humbly expresses, “It was one of the most special experiences of my life” (Connelly, 1). This statement exemplifies that Watt’s career is something that he lives for. Football makes him extremely happy and motivated to work, which is why he is successful. “As you go along,” Watt explains, “You kind of start to realize what it takes”. Watt’s success is not from his wealth and fame, it came

    Read More

More about Why America's Capitalist System Is Failing

Open Document