Re: Dumb Question on Capitalism

[abc170@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I also think that the term capitalism is being used in too broad a manner.

The essense of capitalism is firstly, the general expropriation of surplus, 
(which
also happens under fuedalism and slavery) but secondly, this expropriation has 
to
occur by Capital (ie not by fuedal obligations or force as in other political
economys).

Just because there is expropriation of wealth from producers to a richer, 
powerful
upper strata, DOES not
in my view mean there is necessarily, capitalism.

Naturally there can be combinations of political economies.

While I know nothing on American slavery, I do not think that the expropriation 
from
slaves in colonial America had anything to do with capitalism.

Maybe the English investor behind the scenes was a capitalist, but not the 
actual
slavery in the Colonies.

Chris Warren





******************
On Thu, 02 March 2000, "Charles Brown" wrote:


> John Taber wrote:
>
> >Charles Brown" <CharlesB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
> >
> >I must be confused on what "capitalism" means. I never thought that
> >a slave-based economy should be called capitalism. Similarly, I
> >wouldn't think that a feudal system is capitalist.
> >
> >But on this list "capitalism" seems to be broadly used. Would
> >somebody care to educate me?
> >
>
> ************
>


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