The Traumatic Stress of American Capitalism

We all pay a steep emotional price for the benefits we obtain from our capitalist system.

A dog-eat-dog world

Modern economic theory tells us that each person acting through their own selfish desire animates the “invisible hand” of the market. Apparently, this is considered a good thing.

Economists would have us believe that nobody acts out of kindness or the desire to help others, or their actions are so small and insignificant that their activities can be ignored.

All goodness occurs either by chance or because collective selfish behavior somehow produces a desirable end state — at least for the most greedy and powerful.

Whenever anyone challenges these assumptions, they are roundly criticized as foolish idealists, ignorant fools, or losers who can’t compete. Capitalism is portrayed as the only alternative, an attitude eagerly embraced by those who believe they benefit from the system more than others.