Unfettered Capitalism

I frequently hear today’s youth and future leaders bemoaning the existence and propagation of unfettered capitalism.  The carefully engineered arguments always follow a simple pattern.  Some well meaning soul tells us that unfettered capitalism is actually unbridled greed and evil in the extreme.  Anyone who replies with the rejoinder that capitalism is the greatest and most successful financial system in history and has raised more people from poverty than any other system is promptly labeled as evil themselves as well as uncaring or downright bigoted.  The problem with the standard display is that the participants rarely if ever put the arguments into context.

There is no question that capitalism is easily the greatest engine for economic growth on the planet.  There is no question that capitalism has tremendous potential to raise participants from the lowest to the highest financial achievement unlike other economic systems.  The shortcomings of capitalism as with almost anything else are in the people undertaking it.  The same is true for our government, foreign affairs, faith and interpersonal relationships.  When any undertaking is conducted by men and women of conscience and high moral character then the outcome is not only successful in the pure sense but the efficacy of the activity for all involved is clear.

When a poor sport wins in a competition there is no benefit to the other competitors because there is no sense of honor to be bested by a worthy foe.  What generally comes of this is resentment for having fallen to a base and petty competitor.  When that same poor sport loses there is likewise no sense of accomplishment but rather a sense of necessity that you were required to vanquish so unworthy a foe.  This scenario is true for almost any undertaking in our lives.  Competition is a natural tool for survival and betterment, but it is also part of our internal strength and growth.

In all that we undertake as human beings from our earliest relationships to raising families and conducting business we need to be of high moral character and exhibiting a constant awareness and empathy for those around us.  I want to be clear that I am not calling for the surrendering of personal gain or foregoing enriching ourselves and our partners as we build businesses or provide services.  What I am advocating, however, is the realization that being a capitalist doesn’t mean being a cutthroat, uncaring, bean counting, money hungry monster either.

If the primary concern of your daily business is the bottom line on the balance sheet then perhaps you need to analyze your motivations.  If your dealings with people within your sphere of influence are centered on what value they can add to your portfolio or how they might benefit you then perhaps you need to reevaluate your priorities.  Profit is worthwhile and important when you are in business but if your world has seen profit replace people or if profit has squeezed out personal interaction in your life then you’re following a path of self-destruction.  There is no law of life that says we must check our heart at the door when we conduct business.  Succeed!  Grow!  Build your business!  I say use the talents that God has granted you and do your best.  At the same time, however, I implore you to not lose site of the need to look out for, love and care for your fellow man.  Not merely in a monetary sense.  Do not gain the world and lose your soul.