Mankind is an inherently greedy and materialistic species. It is by natural instinct to hoard against future deficiency. Capitalism is based upon this principle which institutionalizes an appetite for money and power utilizing as little labor as possible. In this procedure, basic ethics are sacrificed at the cost of those people born into less fortunate circumstances. Merely because other systems have not succeeded, it does not mean society should not critically examine capitalism and seek out other viable alternatives. If anything, capitalism should be acknowledged for what it is—a predatory economic system based on greed and selfishness, rather than considered a flawless souvenir of American pride. If society by some means was to initiate a modified system providing equality and conditioning people to take only what is absolutely necessary, the world would undoubtedly be a better place in which to live. In order to achieve improvement, there should be an availability of employment for all members of society, all jobs should be capable of providing the essentials for living (food, housing, health-care, and education for entire family), the need for profit should not exceed the need for such things as maintenance of the environment or human advancement, and most importantly, compensation should be proportional with amount and type of work performed in a job. According to Ayn Rand, “The moral justification of capitalism does not lie in the altruist claim that it represents the best way to achieve 'the common good;' The freedom that a rich man needs to maintain and add to his wealth, is the same freedom a poor man needs to create his wealth.” The main problem is not individual capitalists, but the system in which they operate. Capitalists benefiting from this system are likely to sugarcoat and often escape the true iniquity of the system, claiming that there are equal opportunities for everyone. This allegation...
