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Difference between revisions of "Capitalism Kritik"
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lmk if there are any sections that need to be changed -- wasnt sure if i should have link/impact/alt in a separate section since it's pretty self explanatory for the cap k at least | lmk if there are any sections that need to be changed -- wasnt sure if i should have link/impact/alt in a separate section since it's pretty self explanatory for the cap k at least | ||
== Readings == | == Readings == | ||
im going to add dean's crowd and party book here | im going to add dean's crowd and party book here | ||
Karl Marx-Das Capital | |||
is there any other cap lit that should be here? i dont know many common cap authors with full on books | is there any other cap lit that should be here? i dont know many common cap authors with full on books | ||
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capitalism: a ghost story | capitalism: a ghost story | ||
== General Thesis == | == General Thesis == | ||
Capitalism is an economic system centered around maximizing profit/capital by having labor costs be low. Markets are controlled by private owners/entities rather than being monitored by the public state. | Capitalism is an economic system centered around maximizing profit/capital by having labor costs be low. Markets are controlled by private owners/entities rather than being monitored by the public state. | ||
The ''means of production'' is what is used to produce things. The ''commodity'' is what is produced. | The ''means of production'' is what is used to produce things. The ''commodity'' is what is produced. | ||
==== Exploitation of People (Marx’s Theory of Alienation) ==== | ==== Exploitation of People (Marx’s Theory of Alienation) ==== | ||
The problem with capitalism is that a small group of people own a large portion of the means of production, allowing them to monopolize earnings and subject the majority to unfair conditions. This small group is known as the ''bourgeoisie'' while the other group is known as the ''proletariats''. | The problem with capitalism is that a small group of people own a large portion of the means of production, allowing them to monopolize earnings and subject the majority to unfair conditions. This small group is known as the ''bourgeoisie'' while the other group is known as the ''proletariats''. | ||
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Generally, this alienation is when a human becomes separated from themselves: they give up their passions, desires, identity, labor, and will to live to work harder. | Generally, this alienation is when a human becomes separated from themselves: they give up their passions, desires, identity, labor, and will to live to work harder. | ||
==== Exploitation of Resources ==== | ==== Exploitation of Resources ==== | ||
While profit and money increases, all this money comes from the human labor of the proletariats. Capitalism requires growth to sustain the market, but this growth comes from individuals and causes a resource scarcity problem. While society constantly expands under capitalism, there are not enough resources to fuel itself. This is when capitalism becomes exploitation: once we use up our resources irresponsibly, we’re totally screwed. | While profit and money increases, all this money comes from the human labor of the proletariats. Capitalism requires growth to sustain the market, but this growth comes from individuals and causes a resource scarcity problem. While society constantly expands under capitalism, there are not enough resources to fuel itself. This is when capitalism becomes exploitation: once we use up our resources irresponsibly, we’re totally screwed. | ||
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An example is peak oil – we’ll eventually reach a point where our extraction of oil will “peak” and then permanently decrease because oil fracking will become unsustainable. | An example is peak oil – we’ll eventually reach a point where our extraction of oil will “peak” and then permanently decrease because oil fracking will become unsustainable. | ||
==== Alternative Economic Systems ==== | ==== Alternative Economic Systems ==== | ||
There are many alternatives to capitalism – most solutions will focus on giving back control to the proletariats to make a stateless, classless, moneyless society. To transition to these systems, there needs to be a revolution to overthrow the state. Some forms of revolution and their alternatives include dual power, Marxism/Leninism, Trotskyism, counsel communism, and anarchism. | There are many alternatives to capitalism – most solutions will focus on giving back control to the proletariats to make a stateless, classless, moneyless society. To transition to these systems, there needs to be a revolution to overthrow the state. Some forms of revolution and their alternatives include dual power, Marxism/Leninism, Trotskyism, counsel communism, and anarchism. | ||
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'''Anarchism''' is when there is no state, no capitalism, and nothing at all. People live in small communities that are off-the-grid. | '''Anarchism''' is when there is no state, no capitalism, and nothing at all. People live in small communities that are off-the-grid. | ||
'''Socialism''' is when the means of production, distribution, and exchange would all be regulated by the country as whole. | |||
== Uses in Debate == | == Uses in Debate == | ||
The capitalism kritik (usually shortened to the “Cap K”) is a criticism of how a policy or structure increases the prevalence of capitalism. | The capitalism kritik (usually shortened to the “Cap K”) is a criticism of how a policy or structure increases the prevalence of capitalism. | ||
=== Capitalism vs Policy Affs === | === Capitalism vs Policy Affs === | ||
A Cap K on the neg will consist of three to four parts – a link, explaining why the aff’s policy or practices causes an increase in capitalism; an impact, explaining why capitalism is bad (an extinction impact, dehumanization, etc.); an alt, explaining the alternative to the aff and what should be done to combat capitalism; and sometimes a role of the ballot (ROB), which tells the judge what kind of arguments they should prioritize in the round. | A Cap K on the neg will consist of three to four parts – a link, explaining why the aff’s policy or practices causes an increase in capitalism; an impact, explaining why capitalism is bad (an extinction impact, dehumanization, etc.); an alt, explaining the alternative to the aff and what should be done to combat capitalism; and sometimes a role of the ballot (ROB), which tells the judge what kind of arguments they should prioritize in the round. | ||
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The most strategic Cap Ks usually involve a mix of both these arguments to uplayer as much as possible. | The most strategic Cap Ks usually involve a mix of both these arguments to uplayer as much as possible. | ||
=== Capitalism vs Non-Topical Affs === | === Capitalism vs Non-Topical Affs === | ||
A Cap K against non-topical affs works differently from a Cap K against topical affs – instead of critiquing the resolution, a Cap K will critique the method of the aff and/or parts of their theory. | A Cap K against non-topical affs works differently from a Cap K against topical affs – instead of critiquing the resolution, a Cap K will critique the method of the aff and/or parts of their theory. | ||
==== Thesis vs Non-Topical Affs ==== | ==== Thesis vs Non-Topical Affs ==== | ||
Most alternatives to capitalism require something called “party politics.” Party politics is a form of resistance strategy whereby people group together and collectively overthrow the state. However, to do this, the people must be able to unite. Individuality is damaging to the movement – it breeds competition between the proletariats which makes them less likely to work with each other. Business owners, for example, try to pit their employees against each other, forcing them to compete by offering monetary incentives like raises or promotions. Instead of working together, the working class is encouraged to fight among themselves, making it impossible to overthrow the bourgeoisie. | Most alternatives to capitalism require something called “party politics.” Party politics is a form of resistance strategy whereby people group together and collectively overthrow the state. However, to do this, the people must be able to unite. Individuality is damaging to the movement – it breeds competition between the proletariats which makes them less likely to work with each other. Business owners, for example, try to pit their employees against each other, forcing them to compete by offering monetary incentives like raises or promotions. Instead of working together, the working class is encouraged to fight among themselves, making it impossible to overthrow the bourgeoisie. | ||
By being non-topical and refusing to defend the resolution, the aff is endorsing a form of individuality where they declare that they are separate from other people and resist the state by themselves. The link to the aff is that these methods fail and fracture potential movements, making resistance less effective which in turn causes capitalism to strengthen. Even if the aff claims that their specific resistance strategy can solve capitalism, compromising is bad: focusing resources on one person isn’t enough to overthrow the state. | By being non-topical and refusing to defend the resolution, the aff is endorsing a form of individuality where they declare that they are separate from other people and resist the state by themselves. The link to the aff is that these methods fail and fracture potential movements, making resistance less effective which in turn causes capitalism to strengthen. Even if the aff claims that their specific resistance strategy can solve capitalism, compromising is bad: focusing resources on one person isn’t enough to overthrow the state. | ||
==== Other Links ==== | ==== Other Links ==== | ||
Although highly dependent on the type of aff read in round, there is always the possibility for other links to the critique. Often, there is a link to the method that is presented – this is usually separate from the one provided above. For example, there can be link arguments that argue the aff's methodology reifies and further's capitalism's alienation, but just provides liberal "feel-good" politics that makes it seem as if there is change being done. This is essentially a "masking argument" where the critique says the aff just masks inequality to package it nicer, which a) does not address the root of the issue (capitalism), but b) makes capitalism's influence & oppression net worse. | Although highly dependent on the type of aff read in round, there is always the possibility for other links to the critique. Often, there is a link to the method that is presented – this is usually separate from the one provided above. For example, there can be link arguments that argue the aff's methodology reifies and further's capitalism's alienation, but just provides liberal "feel-good" politics that makes it seem as if there is change being done. This is essentially a "masking argument" where the critique says the aff just masks inequality to package it nicer, which a) does not address the root of the issue (capitalism), but b) makes capitalism's influence & oppression net worse. | ||
=== Capitalism Affs === | === Capitalism Affs === | ||
There are two types of capitalism affs. The first is a non-topical affirmative that justifies a methodology to end capitalism. Although arguably non-topical, they usually have some type of correlation to the topic. These affirmatives generally follow this trend: thesis, link(s), impact, methodology/advocacy, ROB/framing. The thesis is necessary to explain what capitalism is and why it is necessarily bad (sometimes affirmatives will combine this with the impact card to make one card that explains a critique of capitalism, as well as the impacts associated with it). The link(s) is/are the reason how the status quo creates capitalism in some way/shape/form and a reason for why the situation can only be remedied through the advocacy. The advocacy then explains how solvency can occur for the capitalism K – this is generally the most important part of the aff (if the affirmative can't solve its case, there's a ballot for the negative solely on presumption). The ROB or role of the ballot is a framing mechanism that is used to explain how the round should be adjudicated and what the judge ought prefer in their decision calculus. Often this can be different from utilitarianism, but is quite specific to the impact/thesis presented in the aff – for example, if the aff goes for structural violence impacts, reading a utilitarian | There are two types of capitalism affs. The first is a non-topical affirmative that justifies a methodology to end capitalism. Although arguably non-topical, they usually have some type of correlation to the topic. These affirmatives generally follow this trend: thesis, link(s), impact, methodology/advocacy, ROB/framing. The thesis is necessary to explain what capitalism is and why it is necessarily bad (sometimes affirmatives will combine this with the impact card to make one card that explains a critique of capitalism, as well as the impacts associated with it). The link(s) is/are the reason how the status quo creates capitalism in some way/shape/form and a reason for why the situation can only be remedied through the advocacy. The advocacy then explains how solvency can occur for the capitalism K – this is generally the most important part of the aff (if the affirmative can't solve its case, there's a ballot for the negative solely on presumption). The ROB or role of the ballot is a framing mechanism that is used to explain how the round should be adjudicated and what the judge ought prefer in their decision calculus. Often this can be different from utilitarianism, but is quite specific to the impact/thesis presented in the aff – for example, if the aff goes for structural violence impacts, reading a utilitarian framing would not be strategic. | ||
The second is a topical capitalism aff. Typically, this Cap aff will have a link to why the status quo causes capitalism and why passing the aff is key to reformist movements that help transition to other alternatives (communism, socialism, etc.). Like a Cap K on the neg, Cap affs have an impact detailing why capitalism is harmful. | The second is a topical capitalism aff. Typically, this Cap aff will have a link to why the status quo causes capitalism and why passing the aff is key to reformist movements that help transition to other alternatives (communism, socialism, etc.). Like a Cap K on the neg, Cap affs have an impact detailing why capitalism is harmful. | ||
For example, take the 2021 NovDec LD topic “Resolved: A just government ought to recognize the unconditional right of workers to strike.” A Cap aff could say that if workers don’t have the right to strike, their employers can oppress them and force them to work for inhumane pay, causing capitalism by strengthening private owners. | For example, take the 2021 NovDec LD topic “Resolved: A just government ought to recognize the unconditional right of workers to strike.” A Cap aff could say that if workers don’t have the right to strike, their employers can oppress them and force them to work for inhumane pay, causing capitalism by strengthening private owners. | ||
=== Responding to Capitalism === | === Responding to Capitalism === | ||
1. fw | 1. fw | ||