I believe that capitalism is a deeply flawed system, but a lot of people don’t realize that. It’s getting harder and harder to get by, and capitalism has taken over almost every aspect of our lives. This is because many people are finding that their expenses are increasing faster than their income, but the wealthy are earning more than ever! These are other problems that I see with capitalism:
The Daily Grind Takes A Toll
Not only do a lot of people work the 9 to 5 all week, but many people do the same tasks every day as well. Not only do I feel that this bad for the mental health of employees, but it can also result in reduced work quality. Work schedules and tasks often vary from one day to the next in non-capitalist societies. Workplace competition is common in capitalist societies, and I feel that it can take a toll on your mental health.
Capitalism Can Alienate Us From Friends And Family
It’s very common for both parents to work full-time jobs. Therefore, a lot of kids come home to an empty house after school. Many employees are given tasks to perform at home. This reduces the amount of free time that employees have, and it makes it difficult to socialize with friends. A lot of interaction between employees takes place electronically instead of in person. Therefore, many employees aren’t able to socialize much at work or outside of work.
I Feel That Capitalism Is Truly A Rich Man’s Game
People who are born wealthy usually remain wealthy, but people who were born poor usually remain poor. Despite the fact that wealthy proponents of capitalism claim that the system is fair, this is not even close to true. Schools in lower-income communities don’t offer an education that is as effective as schools in higher-income communities. There also are fewer job opportunities in lower-income communities than higher-income communities. Furthermore, people from lower-income communities often experience discrimination when they’re looking for work.
Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness
People are rarely satisfied with the material wealth that they have and are on a never-ending quest to increase their wealth. I feel that this preoccupation can keep you from finding yourself and knowing your true desires.
How To Drop Out Of The Capitalist Rat Race
You don’t need to become a wilderness-dwelling hermit to get away from capitalism. Spending less money is the only way to drop out of the capitalist rat race. Here are some tips that I feel are important for anyone who wants get away from capitalism:
- Replace Capitalist Philosophy With Minimalist Philosophy
I feel that a minimalist only buys the items that they absolutely need. Here are some ways to prioritize your needs over your desires:
- Downsize your house or apartment.
- Reduce the size of your clothing collection.
- Avoid heavily processed foods.
- Avoid impulsive purchases. One way to avoid making impulsive purchases is using cash instead of a credit card.
- Purchase used products instead of new products.
- Grow Your Own Fruits And Vegetables
There are many types of fruits and vegetables that you can grow if you have a plot of land, and some can be grown indoors. These fruits and vegetables can be grown indoors:
- Avocados
- Carrots
- Microgreens
- Lemons
- Mandarin Oranges
- Tomatoes
If you have a plot of land, these plants are easy to grow:
- Garlic
- Romaine lettuce
- Scallions
- Celery
- Lemongrass
- Bean sprouts
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Ginger
- Pineapples
- Pumpkins
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Say Goodbye To The Electric Company
If you generate enough of your own electricity, you can go off the power grid. Even if you only produce a small amount of electricity, less of your money will go to the power company. I feel that solar and wind power are two great ways to generate your own electricity.
- Use Less Electricity
You can reduce the amount of electricity that you use by placing windows on the south-facing side of your house. Shut the blinds on south-facing windows during summer days. Open the blinds on south-facing windows during winter days and close them on winter nights. Set the thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the winter. Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer.
Cleaning the vents regularly will improve the effectiveness of your heating and air conditioning system. Always put the right amount of clothing in your washing machine, and do the laundry less frequently if possible. Many power companies offer a discount on electricity during non-peak hours. If your power company offers this discount, do the laundry after 8:00 PM.
- Find Hobbies That Don’t Cost You Anything:
Believe it or not, there are ways to have fun without spending a dime! These are some free and low-cost hobbies that I recommend:
- Walking: You can walk as much as you want without spending a dime!
- Bicycling: While you’ll need to invest in a bicycle, this is often a relatively small one-time expense.
- Reading: It’s possible to borrow books from the library for free.
- Camping: Campsites are often very cheap, and there are places where you can camp for free.
- Bird Watching: Bird watching is a free hobby.
Summary
- There are drawbacks to working a 9 to 5 job.
- Capitalism can prevent us from connecting with other people.
- Capitalism is not fair.
- Wealth can’t buy happiness.
- There are ways to separate yourself from capitalism.