Capitalism and Class Structure

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

Capitalism promotes an increase in individual wealth. However, there is only so much wealth to go around. Therefore, the lower class suffers first. However, there is only so much the rich can take from them so, consequently, the rich will eventually have to begin taking the less rich - thus decreasing the amount of rich but increasing the amount of wealth those individuals have. Is capitalism, consequently, destined to create a small upper class that simply leeches off of a unified lower class - which would primarily become what is today's growing middle class. Thoughts?

[BobKKKindle$]

However, there is only so much wealth to go around

I am hesitant to accept this statement. Economic growth leads to increases in gross domestic product, and so the enrichement of the upper class does not require a decline in purchasing power for other classes. For example, the economic growth under Pinochet in Chile during his neo-liberal reign benefited solely the upper classes in terms of percentage increases in income.

I cant quite explain it, but I also think it is important to take Imperialism and globalisation into account for this argument, whereby a 'capitalist country' (a country in which multinationals are based and who export exploitation to the third world) increases its wealth through 'taking' wealth from LEDCs (discounting global economy growth) therbey benefiting all classes in the MEDC at the disadvanatge of workers in LEDCs.

[Rawthentic]

As Marx said, as capitalism reaches into crises, society divides intself into two enemy capms, that of the workers and that of the ruling class. The middle classes support either in a revolutionary situation, according to their material interests or political interests. Thus the revolution would end, hopefully, with power in the worker's hands, thus the socialist state. Then comes communism, a classless society. Hope this helps