The Inevitable Evolution of Capitalism: Barreling Uncontrollably Towards a New Future

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No one wakes up with an inherent desire to contribute to capitalism. It isn’t part of our nature to view our time and energy as indispensable cogs in an economic system that has defined Western civilization for centuries. And yet, capitalism—rooted in principles laid out long before Adam Smith put pen to paper—remains the framework that dictates the rules of daily life for billions.

But what happens when that framework begins to crack?

Today, we see evidence everywhere: rising inequality, environmental collapse, and the increasing consolidation of wealth and power in the hands of a few. Climate change reminds us daily that our extractive approach to resources and labor is unsustainable. Meanwhile, technological progress, often celebrated as capitalism’s crowning achievement, seems to accelerate its contradictions. A system that once relied on widespread competition now thrives on monopolies and resembles something closer to 21st-century feudalism.

When these concerns are raised, the predictable counterargument emerges: “What is the alternative?” Skeptics default to this question, as though history has already exhausted every economic possibility. They point to the failures of past experiments—Soviet communism, Maoist collectivism, or even poorly executed welfare states—as if these are the only options.

But I reject this framing.

Or, I go boldly against the “No Alternatives” Fallacy.

The question, “What is the alternative?” assumes a false dichotomy: capitalism or chaos. It’s a question rooted in fear rather than imagination, designed to preserve the status quo rather than encourage exploration. What if, instead of clinging to what we know, we embraced the unknown?

Economic systems are not static. Just as feudalism evolved into capitalism, capitalism, too, will evolve—or collapse under its own weight. The alternative is not a return to failed systems but the creation of something new, informed by modern technology and guided by principles of equity and sustainability.

Take Scandinavia as an example. These nations didn’t achieve their current blend of capitalism and socialism through violent revolution or ideological purges. They evolved—gradually—by recognizing the importance of balancing individual enterprise with collective well-being. Universal healthcare, free education, robust social safety nets: these are not utopian fantasies but proven policies that work in the modern world. A perfect example this is not, as these countries are fairly culturally and socially homogeneous, but are socially still very much on the right track.

One solution: Living Contrary to Scarcity-centric Capitalism…

So, what can we do now? How do we, as individuals, begin to dismantle a system that feels so pervasive?

One way is to act in direct contradiction to capitalism’s demands. The system is only functional if we strive for unending productivity, participation in consumerism, and self- centered individualism. We can disrupt it by prioritizing rest, solidarity, and community care. This isn’t about opting out entirely—few of us have that privilege—but about taking what the system offers and advocating for more.

Millions rely on Social Security, SNAP benefits, and other programs designed to provide a safety net; yet these programs are deliberately underfunded and inadequate, often failing to keep pace with inflation or the rising cost of living. Social Security Disability Insurance, for example, requires recipients to wait two years before becoming eligible for Medicare—despite recipients’ having paid into the system.

This is by design. A system that barely meets basic needs surely reinforces the concept of dependency rather than empowerment. By collectively demanding improvements, we can expose and exploit these contradictions. After all, even the wealthiest beneficiaries of capitalism—those who eagerly accepted PPP loans during the pandemic—have no qualms about taking from the system when it serves them. Why should we?

… to understand the “Power of Collective Suffering”…

Our collective struggles under capitalism are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a system in decline. Within our suffering lies power. Recognizing the shared nature of our experiences is the first step toward building solidarity and imagining alternatives.

The evolution of capitalism into something more just and sustainable won’t happen overnight, nor will it come from the top down. It will require experimentation, imagination, and a willingness to challenge deeply ingrained assumptions. It will also require action—however small.

We must be willing to advocate for stronger safety nets and equal rights for all. We do this by educating ourselves and others on how current systems work, how they fail, and we also stand up and take what we’re entitled to, not in the face of shame, and demand more. If we accept that time is finite, then surely we must also accept that our economic systems must evolve to meet the demands of the present, not the ideals of the past.

……For “A Call to Action”

Promoters often present capitalism as inevitable, natural, or eternal. History tells us otherwise. Systems change because people demand it, not because the biggest benefactors - those who are (privileged, connected, corrupt) and benefit the most - are willing to give it up.

“End stage capitalism” doesn’t mean the end of society; but the beginning of a new chapter— one that we must be willing to write.

So, let us imagine boldly, act collectively, and evolve together. Our alternative is not just another economic system. In just merely stating that our alternative is to aim for survival, surely sets ourselves up for the same failing scarcity economy that we currently have. We should raise the bar and aim for the abundance economy.