# Economics and Justice By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-11-20 Justice demands that one is paid what they deserve. Capitalist economics pays one what they will take. A gap exists between the two. In that gap, what one is willing to take and what one deserves is the terrain on which capitalism and socialism fight. Capitalism is often defended since one can work elsewhere if wages are too low. The freedom to go and try to be exploited slightly less elsewhere is hardly freedom. That a person is willing to participate in their subjugation does not mean that the system that compels one to do so is just. Capitalism is inherently exploitative. As such, it is intrinsically unjust. Maybe it is the best economic system when one considers all the aspects. It does produce excellent consumer goods. It does have a propensity to drive efficiencies. If one wants to consume many gadgets, one couldn’t find a better system than free market capitalism. However, it achieves these benefits at the cost of environmental degradation and human exploitation. It incentivizes needless competition and consumption. If consumption promotes happiness, those in the United States of America would be among the world’s happiest citizens. We aren’t. Consuming even more is doubling down on a failed theory. In fact, rather than consuming more, leading to happiness, it is more likely that we consume so much because we are so desperately unhappy with who we are individually and collectively. Most don’t know what to do apart from working harder, spending more, and doing everything possible to avoid acknowledging the painful reality. The economics of injustice makes us fearful of our precariousness. Justice brings joy. Solidarity brings security. We need a better way to work. #### Related Items [[Work]] [[Economics]] [[Justice]] [[Capitalism]] [[Socialism]] [[Joy]] [[Solidarity]]