Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life

[Nick]

Supercapitalism: The Transformation of Business, Democracy, and Everyday Life (Borzoi Books) (Hardcover)
by Robert B. Reich (Author)

anyone read this yet? it's had some good press across the board. the stuff he said on npr about capitalisms increase in power and the decline of democracy was very interesting.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...kstorenow16-20

[PETA]

must be considering democracy is a form of gov't and capitalsim is an economic system


so, nut shell it... what's his theme. How is democract in decline? (I find this an odd claim with the large number of new participants in the process - think of voter turnout in recent elections and the record turn outs in the DNC primaries...)

[Nick]

i need to read it before i could really comment. someone wrote this on amazon:

Robert Reich makes a compelling argument that supercapitalism has robbed democracy of much of its power. Supercapitalism by the definition presented in the book is simple--the consumer is king and prices ALWAYS go down. What Reich looks at is the cost of low prices to companies, society, the individual and its impact on the workings of democracy. So how is democracy compromised? Reich also points out that the rise of different lobbying groups, the cost of politics and globalization as contributing to this process. This isn't a surprise. It has just become more pronounced with time.

It's not due to some large conspiracy or any hidden political agenda as much as it is driven by consumption. Ultimately Reich argues that it robs the common citizen of any control over democracy. It's not surprising that this is a highly charged issue because the economics of what benefits society (or "the common good" as Reich calls it)often gets tangled up in the web of politics. Reich also points out that the cost of supercompetitiveness, constantly falling prices is a loss to the economic and social health of America. Reich points out that everyone wants to get the lowest price possible but he also suggests that we must balance that with our desire to have decent wages and benefits. He also points out that the move towards regulation was initiated by government and that corporations went along because it kept out competition and guaranteed a top and bottom for prices allowing companies to get a profit without fear of cutting prices so low that it would put them out of business.

I should point out that this is an oversimplification of Reich's points but it does capture some of the concepts. He also makes some suggestions that would help keep the free market afloat without undermining democracy and allowing consumers to still benefit from competitive pricing. Since this is economics we are discussing politics is mixed in and might color whether or not you agree with his points.


Reich's style is breezy for a book that looks at economics, democracy and the erosion of wages, benefits. Reich comes across as fair balanced and thoughtful even as he sells his take on what is undermining American society. Ultimately it's a worthwhile book to read simply because it opens up dialogue on the social cost of constantly lowering prices and how it impacts those who live next door to us.

[Left]

that's an interesting concept...

say hypothetically,
who would have more power/influence on a senator's decision,
the slight majority of voters
or the fortune 500 companies financing his next campaign?

maybe people need to start researching the lobbyists for the companies they consume from.

*goes and smokes a cigarette and eats a bag of doritos

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Left

that's an interesting concept...

say hypothetically,
who would have more power/influence on a senator's decision,
the slight majority of voters
or the fortune 500 companies financing his next campaign?

maybe people need to start researching the lobbyists for the companies they consume from.

*goes and smokes a cigarette and eats a bag of doritos

you should see the limitations that are placed on campaign donations if you think corporations are financing campaigns...

also, the argument presumes that corporations interests are contrary to the interests of the people... corporations serve the shareholders... who are the shareholders? People with retirement accounts....

further lobbying is the exercise of demcracy... if a lobby stands contrary to one's POV... organize your own lobby...

I think Reich's arguing that corps are too successful at making democracy work for them rather than democracy not working... that's not the corps faults for taking advantage of the right to lobby Congress

[Left]

Originally Posted by xian

you should see the limitations that are placed on campaign donations if you think corporations are financing campaigns...

also, the argument presumes that corporations interests are contrary to the interests of the people... corporations serve the shareholders... who are the shareholders? People with retirement accounts....

further lobbying is the exercise of demcracy... if a lobby stands contrary to one's POV... organize your own lobby...

I think Reich's arguing that corps are too successful at making democracy work for them rather than democracy not working... that's not the corps faults for taking advantage of the right to lobby Congress

all valid points, the situation however i think is still plausible.
and interesting.

i don't claim to know shit about politics...
who does fund campaigns Christian?

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Left

all valid points, the situation however i think is still plausible.
and interesting.

i don't claim to know shit about politics...
who does fund campaigns Christian?

afaik... its posted online... you can look up donations in amounts by donor to each dandidate... forget the name of the filing though

[Left]

ps. i thought there were loopholes in the campaign donation thing also,
and that there was often fraud in that area.

creating new "foundations" that aren't associated with the company but the money is still coming from them.

i thought i even read a story where somebody's kids were giving a politician like $500 a piece and they were like 6 and 7 years old. lol.

[PETA]

Originally Posted by Left

ps. i thought there were loopholes in the campaign donation thing also,
and that there was often fraud in that area.

creating new "foundations" that aren't associated with the company but the money is still coming from them.

i thought i even read a story where somebody's kids were giving a politician like $500 a piece and they were like 6 and 7 years old. lol.

gonna take a lot of kids giving $500 each to get to $10,000 which will pay for pretty much nothing