Morality and capitalism
Yesterday a friend for whom I have much respect commended on my blog about the merits of the philosophy and practice of those business certified by B Corp commented:
“Equality, honest and truthfully, doesn’t exist the game of business. Remember, our DNA, is far from equal, from person to person. Capitalism is the best solution for bring equality to the world. Not a social Corporate commune.
I was surprised and not surprised by his comments although few people I know are this honest about their views of much of business while, at the same time, claiming that “Capitalism is the best solution for bring(ing) equality to the world. Not a social Corporate commune.”
I always appreciate any open, honest feedback to or comments on the contents of the blogs I post. It is my belief that we cannot create a more just, loving/less violent world without respectful, honest dialogue.
My understanding of capitalism is that it is, in and of itself, not moral or immoral. It is merely a particular system for the exchange of goods. The basic definition which I found in various dictionaries and on Wikipedia is: “Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.” It is also my understanding that there are various forms of capitalism including a free market system.
I know of no community which practices a pure form of capitalism. Every community or country has some regulations over products, degree of honestly regarding advertisement and other business practices.
As far as I can determine there is nothing in B Corp that is anti-capitalism. What my reader is maintaining, however is that honestly, equality and truth are not consistent with capitalism. I believe that B Corp is proving the opposite.
Every company or corporation has a mission statement or some equivalent statement which contains a direct or indirect reference to the purpose and ethics of the company. That mission statement may or may not honestly reflects how the company is run. Certainly, I have seen mission statements which are clearly not consistent with how the business is managed. If one reads some of the statements in advertisements in the program for the symphony one would think that the purpose of the company sponsoring the ad is simply the enrichment of the soul of the community.
I run a for profit company. Yet, what I mean by profit and how that has been determined over the years may be much different than the owner of some other business. I want to be able to provide counseling services to individuals and families in a safe, reasonably accessible and comfortable space, maintain my professional credentials through continuing education, pay for office supplies and such items as malpractice insurance and live in a modest, safe home. I also like to be able to afford to occasionally travel, attend symphony performances, have a safe car to drive and eat decently. I expect to be very disciplined about how I budget. I am able to do this and have a policy that states I will see people for either a standard price (the same for 20 or more years) or what they decide their budget allows which might, at times, be nothing. This policy has worked for many years. I believe that how I now run the business and how it was run when the business was in full operation with other colleagues and an office person would be consistent with the certification requirement of the B Corp. Obviously, the over 2500 business which have, as of 2017, been certified by B Corp are making a profit.
It could be that the profit is less under the policies of the B Corp. That could be easily studied. Personally, I believe that we can all make a decent living and still live in harmony with each other and mother earth. My small business is not scientific proof, but there are many other businesses which seem to surviving without dishonesty or treating anyone as less than another. Yes, we have different skills and talents – different DNA – but we all have gifts which contribute to the overall health of all people and the environment.
Written June 29, 2018
Yesterday a friend for whom I have much respect commended on my blog about the merits of the philosophy and practice of those business certified by B Corp commented:
“Equality, honest and truthfully, doesn’t exist the game of business. Remember, our DNA, is far from equal, from person to person. Capitalism is the best solution for bring equality to the world. Not a social Corporate commune.
I was surprised and not surprised by his comments although few people I know are this honest about their views of much of business while, at the same time, claiming that “Capitalism is the best solution for bring(ing) equality to the world. Not a social Corporate commune.”
I always appreciate any open, honest feedback to or comments on the contents of the blogs I post. It is my belief that we cannot create a more just, loving/less violent world without respectful, honest dialogue.
My understanding of capitalism is that it is, in and of itself, not moral or immoral. It is merely a particular system for the exchange of goods. The basic definition which I found in various dictionaries and on Wikipedia is: “Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets.” It is also my understanding that there are various forms of capitalism including a free market system.
I know of no community which practices a pure form of capitalism. Every community or country has some regulations over products, degree of honestly regarding advertisement and other business practices.
As far as I can determine there is nothing in B Corp that is anti-capitalism. What my reader is maintaining, however is that honestly, equality and truth are not consistent with capitalism. I believe that B Corp is proving the opposite.
Every company or corporation has a mission statement or some equivalent statement which contains a direct or indirect reference to the purpose and ethics of the company. That mission statement may or may not honestly reflects how the company is run. Certainly, I have seen mission statements which are clearly not consistent with how the business is managed. If one reads some of the statements in advertisements in the program for the symphony one would think that the purpose of the company sponsoring the ad is simply the enrichment of the soul of the community.
I run a for profit company. Yet, what I mean by profit and how that has been determined over the years may be much different than the owner of some other business. I want to be able to provide counseling services to individuals and families in a safe, reasonably accessible and comfortable space, maintain my professional credentials through continuing education, pay for office supplies and such items as malpractice insurance and live in a modest, safe home. I also like to be able to afford to occasionally travel, attend symphony performances, have a safe car to drive and eat decently. I expect to be very disciplined about how I budget. I am able to do this and have a policy that states I will see people for either a standard price (the same for 20 or more years) or what they decide their budget allows which might, at times, be nothing. This policy has worked for many years. I believe that how I now run the business and how it was run when the business was in full operation with other colleagues and an office person would be consistent with the certification requirement of the B Corp. Obviously, the over 2500 business which have, as of 2017, been certified by B Corp are making a profit.
It could be that the profit is less under the policies of the B Corp. That could be easily studied. Personally, I believe that we can all make a decent living and still live in harmony with each other and mother earth. My small business is not scientific proof, but there are many other businesses which seem to surviving without dishonesty or treating anyone as less than another. Yes, we have different skills and talents – different DNA – but we all have gifts which contribute to the overall health of all people and the environment.
Written June 29, 2018
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