The Unfair Mirage of Unfettered Capitalism: A Dystopian Future Without Welfare

When we imagine a world without welfare, where capitalism reigns supreme, the consequences can be dire. The lack of social support in unchecked capitalism not only leaves the most vulnerable without a safety net but also undermines the well-being of society at large. This essay explores the potential repercussions of eliminating welfare and allowing capitalism to run its course, drawing on historical precedents and theoretical implications.

Capitalism and the Well-Being of the Working Class

Capitalism is inherently indifferent to the well-being of those who work within its framework. In an unrestrained capitalist system, there are no societal supports to protect individuals from hardships. For instance, if one is elderly and has not saved sufficiently to maintain a self-sustaining investment fund, the choice is stark: either continue working past the age when work should be mandatory, or face the prospect of dying from lack of resources. For the impoverished, options are even more limited. They either risk their health and dignity by selling whatever they can produce, or they succumb to starvation.

Guardrails on Capitalism for Humane Societies

To mitigate these extreme outcomes, governments have implemented guardrails on pure capitalism, ensuring a more humane society that respects the dignity of life. Laws and social support programs aim to prevent the worst excesses at the bottom, safeguarding the basic needs of the most vulnerable. However, these safeguards are insufficient at the top, allowing billionaires to manipulate the system for their personal gain. This concentration of wealth leads to oligarchy, a form of governance that often results in the disillusionment and eventual upheaval of the populace.

Historical Precedents: The Gilded Age and Beyond

The historical record shows that unfettered capitalism inevitably leads to social unrest and conflict. The Gilded Age, marked by extreme income inequality, directly contributed to the outbreak of World Wars and the rise of communist ideologies. Without a robust social safety net, the wealthy elite risk alienating the population, fostering discontent and ultimately leading to revolution.

Consequences of Cutting Out Welfare

The idea of cutting out welfare and allowing capitalism to operate without restraint could have dire consequences. In this scenario, corporations would not only maximize profits but also exploit any resource, including human labor. Instead of paying a living wage, capitalism would drive down costs by treating workers as disposable commodities, akin to slavery. A 7.25 wage might be considered the bare minimum, akin to a corporate "wet dream," while even that might be pushed as low as possible.

In such a system, the corporate controllers would seek to extract the maximum value from every product, leading to significant downward pricing pressure. Alternatively, they might form cartels dedicated to maintaining high prices for their own benefit, consolidating wealth and power even further. This could potentially lead to a situation where a single entity controls the majority of the wealth, resembling a dystopian oligarchy.

Implications for Society

The absence of a social safety net would have profound implications for society. An industry might develop to service the needs of those who have starved to death without any support, rendering them as mere commodities for exploitation. Furthermore, the impoverished and disabled would be seen as nonproductive burdens, potentially leading to their untimely deaths. Such a world would not only be inhospitable but also inhumane.

In a country where firearms outnumber citizens, the risks escalate even further. Starving the populace increases the likelihood of riots and looting, destabilizing the social order. This could easily lead to revolutions, a stark reminder of the fragility of the status quo.

Conclusion

Eliminating welfare and allowing capitalism to run unchecked would create a dystopian future, fraught with social unrest, poverty, and exploitation. It is clear that a balanced approach is necessary to ensure the well-being of all members of society, rather than perpetuating a system that prioritizes profit over human dignity.

Keywords: Unfettered capitalism, welfare, free market, social support, oligarchy