The exact origin of capitalism is unknown and to precisely trace its inception is, as Joyce Appleby says, a conundrum in itself. However, speculation negating the inevitability of capitalism is an even greater feat and rather fruitless. Appleby’s research and evidence thus far, support a great part of her assumptions retracing the colorful history of capitalism, though her case against its inevitability falls short. The question at hand is whether she provides a compelling case, the answer is yes. However, compelling is not convincing and one must be convinced to provide legitimate support of their argument. Human nature is ingrained within us all and its traits inevitably materialize during the course of our growth as we mature, increase our capacity for intelligence and more importantly, develop our autonomous ability to apply the intelligence that we have accumulated. Thus, the question is a deeper one and the argument is whether aspects of capitalism are really part of our human nature despite a culture that oppresses or conversely, nurtures us. Therefore, I disagree with Appleby’s assumption and submit that there is an existence of inevitability related to the emergence of capitalism.
There is a distinct degree of reprehension conveyed by Appleby in the first chapter; wherein, she expresses disdain for the theories of a revered predecessor of economic thought, Adam Smith. This disdain is evident by the odd manner she appears to take personal offense at the omission of the specifics of struggle related to the birth of capitalism- which she states several times in the chapter. Additionally, it is conveyed that the difficulties involved in bringing about capitalism were overlooked or taken for granted by an idea of its graceful...
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...tinue to denounce capitalism.
In closing, it is ludicrous to romanticize that the tendency toward capitalism in man is as primal as eating or procreating. On the other hand, the same curiosity hard-wired into humans that compels us toward theism compels us toward advancement, gain and acquirement. Initially, conquering these curiosities, as history has shown us, is through a method of ‘by any means necessary’. Eventually, dare I say- inevitably, it becomes by the most efficient means available; consequently, an accurate description of capitalism. Therefore, it follows that although man faces struggle that require his ingenuity, this in no way undermines the occurrence of inevitable events; it merely reinforces the existence of them.
Works Cited
Appleby, Joyce Oldham. The Relentless Revolution: a History of Capitalism. New York, NY: W.W. Norton &, 2010. Print.
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Lynn Harsh (Nov. 2002). ‘Capitalism – A Deal with the Devil?’. Retrieved on Mar. 23 from:
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Shawki, Ahmed, Paul D’Amato (2000), “Briefing: The Shape of World Capitalism,” International Socialist Review, [http://www.isreview.org/issues/11/world_capitalism.shtml], accessed 19 May 2012.