One or Two Cheers for Capitalism? |
Like
many, I remain ambivalent about capitalism. This economic system is
responsible for creating wealth in previously unimaginable amounts,
which has benefited every class (despite what the Marxists say). As the Economist reported last year,
in 1981, 42 percent of the world was considered “extremely poor,”
according to the World Bank. By 2013 (for which we have the most recent
reliable data), that figure stood at 1.7 percent. That’s about 1 billion
people who moved out of extreme poverty, and another 4 billion became
non-poor. A great deal of this had to do with both India and China
opening up their economies up to capitalism.
On the other hand, capitalism encourages, nay demands,
the twin vices of greed and materialism to breathe. Add to that
self-interest, which sabotages local and national communities, as well
as families.
Author and blogger Branko Milanovic summarizes four salient features of his book, Capitalism Alone that highlight the paradoxical nature of what he claims is “the only mode of production in the world” practiced today.
This
brings to mind something C.S. Lewis said about lending money at
interest, a key feature of capitalism. After noting how ancient Greeks
and the Old Testament, as well as the church of the Middle Ages—that is
Greek pagans, Jews, and Christians--forbade the practice, he says in Mere Christianity,
Speaking of Greed
As
we begin the 2019 Major League playoffs and World Series, we might
harken back to the greatest scandal in baseball history (if not sports
history): the infamous “Black Sox Scandal” of a century ago, when
members of the Chicago White Sox took money to throw the World Series.
The reasons for the betrayal and the manifold consequences are nicely
summarized in “Black Sox Forever,” by Harry Stein, author of the novel Hoopla, which was about the scandal. In the end, he asks,
And then surprised me with his answer.
Four Cheers for Life!
On a more optimistic note, here is a fine essay
addressing those who wonder if it’s responsible to bring children into
the world, given the future suffering many predict awaits us. Authors
Anastasia Berg and Rachel Wiseman argue that we should continue to have
children because “bringing forth and nurturing life is the most literal
way of affirming it” and because “parenting is the greatest
responsibility a human can bear toward another.”
Immigration Deformed
Friend and immigration expert Matt Soerens at World Relief explains the how reducing the US refugee ceiling will have long-terms consequences:
it will make it more difficult to jump start our refugee programs when
we decide to do so. Matt is one of the most winsome and smartest
advocates on immigration today; you should invite him to come to your church or convention.
Bored with Boarding
The
season of travel is long over now, but it doesn’t take a great memory
to recall onerous the process of boarding planes. Here’s a video on why it is the way it is, and a perfect (but unusable) method that would speed things up considerably.
Grace and peace,
|
Mark Galli
Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today |
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