The future of Capitalism is no sure thing. Most Americans believe the Capitalist system is the most freedom inducing economic order ever created, and many still have faith that the Capitalist system is here to stay. But Capitalism is dependent on constant growth and an ever increasing population, either through births or immigration.
Yet, many Americans, especially conservative Americans, are anti-immigration. At the same time, American Labor Laws don't exactly lend much support to working parents; and the birth rate reflects that quandary. According to a New York Times report, the US birthrate has been on the decline, most recently down to 1.86 Births Per Woman.
A high birthrate is supportive of Capitalism because as older populations retire, the younger, working age population can be expected to pick up the tab for the healthcare and pension costs for those seniors.
So why is it that America seems to punish working families? If only the wealthy were to have children, then we would quickly find ourselves with an aging population and no tax-base to pay for the services retirees need. Yet, we are the only member of the OECD group of developed nations that doesn't offer Paid Family Leave to all of its citizens.
Since this is the case, you would naturally expect America to be among the most immigrant friendly nations. Yet, we have one of the most difficult, bureaucratic systems among developed nations to acquire citizenship or even a Work Visa.
With these contradictory policies, it's no wonder we find our Capitalist system in turmoil. Our politics have become so radical, so divided that different parties and different policymakers seem to be dragging the nation in two different directions. Looking at the state level, it becomes even more obvious just how different the liberal and conservative visions for the future of America have become.
Another unrelated question I pose to Capitalists is this, if our economic system requires constant population growth, than how exactly are we supposed to support such a large population? As Climate Change has begun to rear its ugly head, it seems as though the earth itself is reaching a tipping point for overpopulation.
So maybe the time has come for, not just Americans, but the entire world to begin rethinking the Global Economic System. If constant growth and constant urbanization continues, how much longer can we continue to feed, water, cloth and shelter the world's population?
We often daydream about some new technology saving the human race, like a cheap 70's Sci-FI movie, but in the end, it won't be technology that saves or kills off the human race. It is up to each and every one of us to find solutions that are unique to our time and our place on this earth. Already the stress of the human race is taking a huge toll on our planet. It's past time we start rethinking the way we impact the planet and how our systems of governance, economy and trade affect the planet.