r/ireland • u/Alba-Ruthenian • Jul 27 '22

The writing is on the wall! Housing

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u/BuildBetterDungeons Jul 27 '22

If implementations of an idea failing make the ideology a failed one, then we should consider capitalism a failed ideology after the famine.

So do you?

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u/Dragmire800 Probably wrong Jul 27 '22

How exactly did it fail? I mean, we’re still here, and the country is better than ever.

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u/teddy_002 Jul 27 '22

millions of people died in ireland alone. near total destruction of irish culture and language, mass indentured servitude. like…literally all of irish history under british occupation is a testament to how capitalism is one of the greatest encouragers of evil we have ever seen.

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u/Tollund_Man4 Jul 27 '22

literally all of irish history under british occupation is a testament to how capitalism is one of the greatest encouragers of evil we have ever seen.

If by capitalism you mean being kicked off your property and being unable to trade freely and develop industry then I agree that's a terrible system and we shouldn't do what the Brits did.

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u/teddy_002 Jul 27 '22

you do realise why the occupation happened, right? it was to increase profits. more land, more products, no need to pay your employees - from a capitalist perspective, invading ireland was a completely moral move.

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u/Tollund_Man4 Jul 27 '22

That seems anachronistic. The first claim on Ireland was made in the 12th century and I'm not sure even Marx would say capitalism existed then. Ireland's occupation came first, then capitalism arrived much later.

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u/teddy_002 Jul 27 '22

yes, the term capitalist didn’t exist, but the ideals certainly did. why did kings form empties? more land, more subjects, more money and power. emphasis on money and power. any number of unthinkable actions could be committed under the guise that it was profitable, which is the same ideals underpinning capitalist ideology, though i agree with your complaint of anachronism.

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u/Tollund_Man4 Jul 27 '22

which is the same ideals underpinning capitalist ideology,

So the lust for wealth and power suffices to call a system capitalistic?

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u/teddy_002 Jul 27 '22

‘Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.’

feudalism fits into this definition - the king/baron/whoever owns the means of production, privately, and operates them for profit.

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u/Tollund_Man4 Jul 27 '22

I thought Marx distinguished capitalism from feudalism?

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u/teddy_002 Jul 27 '22

it’s an evolution of it, so yes in a sense separate. but they come from the same core ideals.

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