I've noticed in a lot of discussions with defenders of capitalism that they're always talking about some heroic "theory" of capitalism in which standards of living are increased, or people "rise and fall together", yadda yadda.

They are willing to take credit for capitalism's "successes" (odd definition of "success that they have), but none of the most glaring failures and conditions and social arrangements that any person with a conscience would immediately reject as inhuman.

Defenders of capitalism aren't, for example, willing to talk about sweatshops in nations around the world as an inevitable byproduct of capitalism. They aren't willing to talk about wage repression or the selling of one's labor, or of resource depletion or of perpetual war or of social conditions and arrangements in general-unless it is implied that the "theory" of capitalism is never, ever criticized as a fundamental, overriding piece of horseshit.

As critics of capitalism, I notice that we aren't as concerned with "theories" or "ideologies" or "personal beliefs." We are concerned more with the everyday practice of a tyranny that defines our social and economic and material existence, and our living conditions and social arrangements. Who cares, who FUCKING CARES, if someone "believes" in "liberalism", or "capitalism", or whatever, as a "theory"? It all comes down to how you see the world-as a tool or member of the bourgeoisie, or as a member of humanity, in solidarity with everyone else.

but also some confusion. Aren't the bourgeoisie "members or humanity" too? You cast your net too abstractly there because there are most certainly stark divisions with "humanity". Those namely being, bourgeoisie and workers.

But there is another issue here to. Fighting to overthrow capitalist social relations is not really about conscience or tyranny or "inhumanity". There is something to all of those that bears addressing, but we would need to provide adequate definitions for them first because as is they are completely open ended and without meaning.

Allen, the reason we reject the "theory" of capitalism isn't simply that its bullshit but rather because capitalist relations -- the really existing kind, not theoretical in the least -- are a fetter on the advancement of humankind. And when I say "fetter" it is largely synonymous with "noose".

When all production is social, it can only last for so long that production is commanded by private acquisition. The proof of this is the immiseration and always worsening conditions of the producers themselves solely for the aggrandizement of those who control everything while producing nothing.

There is a scientific side to our worldview, whence "scientific socialism".

The hangerson can deny their true status as loudly and profusely as they like..but only for so long. Of course in the meantime their plaintive cries will be relentless and incessant. Much like wretched denizen's of Dante's Inferno their wails and gnashing are teeth is their desperate attempt to drown out the hell they're condemned to.

make it out to be fair and good for the workers. That is where the capitalist apologetic runs firmly aground. If the defenders of capitalism simply told the truth, they could easily explain the "theory" - Marx explained capitalism clearly and succinctly and he is waiting for all to come and read. The problem is that these defenders want everyone (primarily the workers) to LOVE capitalism; to think of capitalism as the most natural outcome of humane development and application; to think that without capitalism we would all simply die. That is where they run into trouble. All a critic has to do is tell the truth and - boom! Trouble!

"Need"...

The radical bourgeoisie got its political rights (and thus economic dominance) by demanding political rights for everyone else. The masses have got to LOVE it.

Otherwise, we get "political crisis", especially when that LOVE is not highly fulfilling, well-paid LOVE...

Otherwise, it counts as nostalgia.

is for the world to WORSHIP capitalism. They want the system as an unquestioned God. It's easier that way. You can fall out of love, but if you go against the RELIGION of capitalism then you're on the side of Satan.

it is "human nature" apparently to be competitive, greedy, and motivated to do crap work for little pay. They say things like "I wouldn't go to work if I didn't get paid". Well, of course you wouldn't if you're raised as a capitalist. But are these behaviors really "human nature"?