Autonomy

Just curious based on recent threads as to thoughts on the bored with regards to this best seller... (please note - OP's request - no religious / race related comments would be appreciated)

I am interested in the theory and have NOT read this book yet, I plan to soon, though wonder if anyone had any views on this book (whether you have read it or not)

The book:-

http://www.amazon.com/Capital-Twenty...9932507&sr=1-1

The author:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Piketty

Couple of Questions:-

• Economic theory and the math models used - accurate?
• Media views points - predictable or justifiable?

Examples:-

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-HASTINGS.html
• http://www.theguardian.com/books/201...thomas-piketty

I'm not trying to stir up something - just interested in the ideas presented.

Millhouse

Not read it. Won't bother. Capitalism got us this far and lifted billions out of poverty in the last 10 years or so. I can't see the alternative doing the same.

shiraz1

There's more than one type of capitalism.
The type which led to more equality 1945-mid 70s vs the type that has led to the opposite for the last thirty years for instance.
Arguing that Scandinavia and the US are the same because they are both "capitalist", or that the post war period and the last thirty years were both capitalist misses the point

Boomhauer

The problem is unbriddled Capitalism. The Capitalism that exists in the Gulf where nothing matters but the bottom line is bad for the enviroment and humanity. The Capitalism that exists in the West which is balanced by safety nets,social programs and government regulations is on the right path. Though here in the US the conservatives are always trying to whittle away the safety nets and enviromental laws.

shiva

there arent many alternatives that hav ebeen proven to work.
That said the current version of capitalism is ****ed

Here is why

"the world’s 85 richest people own assets with the same value as those owned by the poorer half of the world’s population, or 3.5 billion people (including children). Both groups have $US 1.7 trillion. That’s $20 billion on average if you are in the first group, and $486 if you are in the second group"

same here

" those richest 85 people across the globe share a combined wealth of £1tn, as much as the poorest 3.5 billion of the world's population."

there is no reasonable argument to defend this state of affairs, none

UKCityGent

Capitalism is the survival of the fittest, it is social darwinism

shiraz1

Not as long as you have inheritance it isn't.

Millhouse

I do not see socialist systems doing any better for the environment or humanity.

I'm currently in the US - I agree with you, it is utterly ****ed and I thank God by luck of birth that I am not forced to live here... Nothing wrong with the place or the people but. I am amazed by the piss poor quality of food here - how on earth did that happen. I think the European version of capitalism with regulation is marginally better.

The problem comes when the capitalists merge into politicians and vice versa.

Boomhauer

For starters Capitalist societies like Canada and Western Europe have Universal Health care. American health care is the best...if you can afford it. Atleast now the situation is a bit better with Obamacare though it still isn't single payer health care.

Europe also seems like its Enviroment regulations are not as prone to influence from industry lobby groups like in the US.

The problem with the US is the undue influence of special interest lobbies and political action committees who have bought the political process. You got to be super rich to play the game. Condelezza Rice had a supertanker name after her by Chevron.

shiva

watch food inc.

shiraz1

http://www.migrationpolicy.org/artic...ren-immigrants