Capitalism On Our Side Essays - Economic Ideologies, Capitalism

Capitalism: On Our Side? In the twenty-first century efforts need to be made to enhance the benefits of capitalism. This system has been able to improve the lives of many Americans. Critics however, point out that the improvements have come at a high cost. Specifically, they point to the amount of damage done to the environment. Although capitalism has raised the standard of living, because of the damage done to the environment capitalism is a wasteful system. Throughout history capitalism has raised the standard of living for many individuals. As former University of Vienna economics professor Ludwig von Mises says, Modern capitalism is essentially mass production for the needs of the masses. The buyers of the products are by and large the same people who as wage earners cooperate in their manufacturing. For the producer, Profits are the driving force of the market economy. The greater the profits, the better the needs of the consumers are supplied. Entrepreneurs are able to see if the consumers approve of their work by the amount of profit that they make. Profit is able to increase the number of people that are employed, which is beneficial to both the country and the individual. Staff member of the Foundation for Economic Education, Howard Baetjer Jr. points out that, As more and more goods are produced in greater and greater numbers, prices of just about everything drops. The increased production is brought upon by the desire of busine sses and corporations to achieve more profit. The higher wages that result from more profit are just as important as the increase in production, which allows for more employment. Higher wages and increased employment result in an improved standard of living. However, as people strive to achieve more and more profit, the environment is harmed. Respected author and environmentalist Paul Hawken states, American industry uses as much as one hundred times more material and energy than theoretically required to deliver consumer services. There is not an endless supply of materials and natural resources, so this type of industrial strategy only brings us closer to the day when they are exhausted. Hawken goes on to say that, About 94 percent of the materials extracted for use in manufacturing durable products become waste before the product is even manufactured. In order to keep the profits rolling in, businesses and individuals have been using more and more natural resources. These resources, such as coal and oil, are not infinite and eventually the supply of them will be gone. Inefficient methods of using the earths resources and energy have become prevalent in economies driven by capitalism. As Hawken emphasizes, Cars are barely one percent e fficient in the sense that, for every one hundred gallons of gasoline, only one gallon actually moves the car. The emphasis on profit has led corporations and people to use these inefficient methods and their continuance will only hurt the environment further. Capitalism as a system has the ability to overcome its own shortcomings. The immense amount of energy consumption can be controlled and limited. There are ways to prevent this abuse from getting out of hand. As Hawken notes, State-of-the-shelf technologies combined with intelligent mechanical building design, could reduce energy consumption in American buildings by 90 percent. Whether this will be the case is up to corporations and businesses to decide. They can act now and work to preserve what is already here, or they can continue to waste resources. A continuance of wasting resources will lead to a bleak future. A future that will see urgency to adapt to a new lifestyle brought on by the exhaustion of natural resources. This can be avoided if people buy in to the fact that action must be taken now in order to preserve a bright future. The so called resource revolution needs to arise in all areas of business and support from mighty corporations will help get the ball rolling. Conse rvation is the path that must be taken to insure an environment suitable for generations to come. Political Issues

Concert Critique essays

Concert Critique essays CONCERT PERFORMANCE - PREZIDENT BROWN Today, June 30, 2002, I attended the Africamix Festival, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization of Africans seeking to use multicultural arts and music to help promote global awareness and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The festival was a 2-day event held at Serna Plaza, C.S.U.S, Sacramento. The performers lined up included Prezident Brown, Earl Zero, Amandla Poets, Ras Rebel, Gale Revila, The Huklebucks, J.J. and Bryon J., Ze Manel, Brother G. with the River, Jordan Band, Ayouba and the Blazing Cornerstones, TuFan, Meguen Touko, and the Green Acres. I was particularly interested in Prezident Brown whose performance was the last today at about 6pm. Fitz Albert Cotterell, aka Prezident Brown, is a champion in the new Jamaican root reggae, reality consciousness; he entertains, informs and inspires. His message is pure Rasta conscious vibes. Prezident Brown performed with the Orchestra of Judah, a four-member instruments group. The instruments the Orchestra used included Guitars, drums, and the keyboard. The concert songs from Prezident Brown included among others, To Jah only (prayer for the world), Woman of rising sun, Lionheart, Mother nature, Straighten out, By Tomorrow, Down in the Valley, Faith, In this life, African Woman, Talking Drums, and Encouragement. The last song, Encouragement, is a thoughtful song. Part of the lyrics of the song goes like these ... Right now I say, unity is strength, and sometimes your brother need some encouragement ... Just a word of encouragement could make your little sister not to give up on life, just a word of encouragement could make another brother not to commit suicide, love is stronger than pride. Is it not so true that a word of encouragement ...