... what do you think?

It has been about two or so months since Paul and I have started debating and I wanted to know, firstly, who else is reading these posts and more importantly, what you all think of these ideas, as well. I feel that your comments to this particular post about previously mentioned concepts could help steer future our postings. Thanks!

political economy

If you were to accept this definition of economics as “the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services,” then hopefully you would recognize that this study cannot be ideology. I think this is important to point out because some people (like Paul) would try to paint a picture of systematic natural economic liberty where the “free market” is “self-regulating.” This classical liberalism treats market-based system as the highest form of economic exchange. However, after looking at the historical record and archeological evidence, folks may recognize something important about humans as opposed to other animals. First and foremost, we distinguished ourselves from the rest of the world’s inhabitants when we began producing our means of subsistence. In other words, through technology whether it is a stone tool or the steam engine, humans have been able to manipulate their environment thus determining their social organization.

Because the influence of political and economic institutions is interrelated and interdependent, a study of economics cannot be divorced from a study of political decisions and actions. However, the two academic disciplines of political science and economics are separated and sanitized (where the later characterization of economics comes after years of personally studying the right-wing, ahistorical, and pseudo-scientific justifications for mass exploitation with charts and graphs).

So just as feudalism ended, there is the potential for capitalism to end as well. And though class struggle and direct democracy, the world will be rid of exploitation and misery as people rationally plan to utilize the world’s resources sustainably.