Wtf is anti-capitalism? And exploring an anti-capitalist mindset
I often say IMBY is an anti-capitalist business, which sometimes confuses people. How are we a business that charges money, but calls ourselves anti-capitalist? And why is capitalism so bad, even? Let’s take a look at a (high level!) overview of some of the key points of harm of the capitalist system, and how to embody an anti-capitalist mindset in our businesses and everyday lives.
Capitalism— why is it so oppressive?
Okay first, let's be suuuuper clear here: this is not a comprehensive blog post on the problems with capitalism. I am not an expert in the topic, and there are entire textbooks and courses on the topic! However, I am going to share a very high level, very non-exhaustive, primer to how I've been thinking about it. Here are a handful of problematic things about capitalism. I’d love it if you’d share more in the comments!
Capitalism forces us to produce in order to survive
To me, capitalism is deeply oppressive because it forces us to labor in order to both be seen as having value in society, but also to simply survive. If we want to have food on the table, shelter to live in, etcetera, we must earn income. Of course, for some of us that's easier than others, depending on our connections, our physical and mental abilities, our education, and beyond. Capitalism preys often on the most vulnerable and unrepresented amongst us, exploiting their labor for other's capital gain. The less social power we have, the more likely we are to work "low level" jobs that pay lower wages. And the lower our wages, the less we are able to "advance" in society and to be seen as worthy in a society that often equates worthiness with job titles and assets.
You may be thinking "but Sara! stop complaining! Of course you have to work to pay for the stuff you need!," and that's how capitalism has been engrained in us. I used to think that way too. But I'd encourage you to stop and consider why you believe that to be true. There's no inherent reason we need to labor in order to survive— just look at nature. Do you see the squirrel in your yard going to work each day in order to pay for its rent? Granted, yes, it may have to labor to find food more than we do, but it's not required to generate income to pay for that food. There are alternatives as we’ve seen throughout history in different cultures and societies.
Capitalism is extractive in nature
Additionally, capitalism is inherently extractive in nature— under a capitalist economy, we seek out that in which can make us money, often disregarding the consequences from a system designs level, an environmental level, and a human rights level. Cue the climate crisis.
Since capitalism is a race to the bottom— making the biggest profit from the cheapest things— it is generally harmful to everyone who isn't at the top. The rich get richer at the expense of those working for them and the environment. Since capitalism prioritizes maximizing profit, it encourages cutting corners to make things as cheaply as possible, sacrificing the people along the way. It also encourages us to constantly be seeking more and more money at the expense of all else— our physical and mental health, spending time with loved ones, and beyond. If we are constantly valuing profit over people, folks are undoubtedly going to be harmed in the process.
Capitalism focuses on individualism, which is exhausting
In addition to being racist, classist, extractive, and exploitative, capitalism is just straight up exhausting— especially for those of us who aren't in the 1% that benefit from this sytem. Because capitalism promotes that everyone is responsible for their own actions, and that we are all in control of our destiny (which isn't true given the oppression and racism involved in this process), it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. We must work hard to provide for our families, and if something goes wrong— our car breaks down, we need expensive dental work— then it's crushing because we are alone in solving our problems. The hierarchy that capitalism creates leaves most people behind.
Historically societies operated with a focus on the communal, where folks prioritized caring for one another. Resources were pooled, shared, redistributed. It wasn't up to us as individuals to fix every problem, nor was it our fault if something went wrong. But under capitalism, that individualism is exploited— just open a magazine, or scroll through facebook. There are thousands of products, courses, and offerings to "fix" your problem. Our individualistic, capitalistic society encourages us to throw money at our problems in hopes we can fix them ourselves, trying to blind you from the fact that the problem, is, in fact, systemic in nature and often not completely in your control in the first place. Capitalism encourages people to find ways to profit off of other people's problems— promoting individualism further, making the consumer feel like they are a failure if they can't fix their issues, and driving more debt while others get richer and richer.
Shifting from prioritizing control to prioritizing care
In an interview with Prentis Hemphill on their podcast Finding Our Way, adrienne maree brown shared, "I think it's a shift from control to care. And I think that it's a liberating path. So for most of us, capitalism is fundamentally a control mechanism. You know, it's like, "I'm going to control what you're interested in, who you talk to, what you see." I think it's anticapitalist to move into a care based way of thinking of each other and thinking of community..."
I find this framing incredibly helpful. It's hard to center "care" in a capitalist paradigm because "care" is not always "productive." Sometimes making decisions from a place of care— like allowing an employee a day off because they are having a tough time mental health wise, or need to deal with a family emergency— may sacrifice profits or output. Since capitalism values profit and output above all, "care" often gets deprioritized.
There's SO much more to say on this topic, I feel like I've barely scratched the surface. I hope you'll chime in in the comments on how you find capitalism to be oppressive.
Adopting an anti-capitalist mindset
Alongside my brilliant friend and coach, Alexis Rockley, we broke down (some in her words, some in mine!) what capitalism typically looks like in action, and how, in turn, anti-capitalistic values would look if we are seeking to counter the problematic nature of capitalism. To me, this mindset shift has been incredibly helpful while trying to live and operate multiple businesses under capitalism, while actively fighting against its oppressive nature.
Once again, this is not an exhaustive list, by any means, and I'd love to hear your additions. This list represents some of the ways I am considering how to avoid exploitative capitalistic principles in my life and work.
Capitalist mindset: I am solely responsible for my success
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Anti-capitalist mindset: My reality is co-created by my personal choices, the body I was born into, and the systems in power around me
Since capitalism is rooted in individualism, an anti-capitalist mindset pulls us out of that way of existing, and realizing that we are only partially in control of our reality.
Capitalist mindset: My purpose is to be productive for society; my labor should be profitable
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Anti-capitalist mindset: My purpose is to exist
Our only "job" as humans is to exist on this planet— and while capitalism may make you feel lazy if you want to rest, or prefer not to work, recognizing that our worthiness is not tied to our output, even if we must work to pay bills, is important and essential.
Capitalist mindset: Consumption is the only way to participate in the economy
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Anti-capitalist mindset: Conscious consumption is the responsible way to participate in a capitalist economy
We can't avoid it— we live under capitalism, and we need to make and spend money to live. Taking an anti-capitalist approach to spending would consider all aspects of where you're spending money, if and when possible, to support those who are often under-supported, who are avoiding exploitation of labor and the planet, allowing us to minimize harm.
In our bonfire chat with Nora Rahimian of Culture Fix, she explained that we must place as much emphasis on the process as the outcome. In this context, I believe that to mean that the process of producing something we would like to consume needs to be valued as much as the end product itself, which will inform how we consume consciously.
Capitalist mindset: Hoard everything!
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Anti-capitalist mindset: Redistribute everything!
Capitalism teaches us that more is more and that we should hold onto our assets as closely as possible. The opposite would be to use our assets (physical, financial, social, and beyond) to redistribute wealth, power, and access. This doesn't mean you have to give everything away! But find your "enough" point, and see how you can support those around you who may not benefit from the capitalist system we live under in the same ways you do.
Capitalist mindset: There is not enough to go around, it's every person for themselves
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Anti-capitalist mindset: There is enough for everyone
We can, and must, take care of those around us. We can't live under the impression that where you succeed, I must fail. There's enough to go around!
I like to also see this as an extension of rejecting hoarding information— especially in business. For example, at IMBY we publish quarterly transparency reports. While some may see that as risky to share how we operate and our expenses with potential competitors, I see the upside of it— creating a mindset of honesty, and accountability— far outweighing the risks.
Capitalist mindset: Competition is key
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Anti-capitalist mindset: Collaboration is key
Competition is a mainstay of capitalism— and therefore we must take care of ourselves first. Whether it's as a business owner, someone seeking a job, or beyond, we can't think of the world as a zero-sum game. We sink or swim together, and our ability to live happy, healthy, and meaningful lives in the relationships we build.
Capitalist mindset: We should always prioritize innovation and newness
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Anti-capitalist mindset: We should honor ancestral wisdom, tradition, and history
While innovation has led to many, many wonderful advancements in our society that have benefitted the masses, we don't need to be innovating simply for innovation's sake. Capitalism rewards the new and novel and therefore produces a lot of waste. Sometimes we need to focus on what works, what is ancient, and not reinvent the wheel just so we have a new product to sell.
Capitalist mindset: I must consume as much as I can while spending as little money as possible
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Anti-capitalist mindset: Pay people fairly, invest in quality, meaningful experiences and objects over quantity
We see this in fast fashion or fast anything— the need to accumulate quantity for as cheap as possible. An anti-capitalist mindset allows us to take a step back, evaluate what we need, and invest accordingly, if and when possible and accessible.
Capitalist mindset: We must always be optimizing
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Anti-capitalist mindset: Rest is essential
You are not lazy for resting— capitalism just taught you that. We do not always need to be optimizing and improving but can center rest. And not rest in order to be more productive! Rest in order to take care of our physical and mental wellbeing so that we can exist on this exhausting planet.
Capitalist mindset: Money is the ultimate motivation
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Anti-capitalist mindset: Collective and communal care is the ultimate motivation
In a capitalistic society, money is prioritized as one of the main motivators to all. If we flip that around, we can decenter money (which does not mean we have to give up all of our money! just not prioritize it) in favor of centering justice, equity, and liberation, while taking care of all.
Thank you to Alexis for helping me think about this in these terms, and for helping me to find language to articulate many of these ideas.
Living an anti-capitalist mindset under capitalism: where to go from here
So where do we go from here? We live under capitalism, and that is our current reality. While we need money to survive and thrive in our current system, we can actively be committed to living and operating in a way that counters the oppressive elements of capitalism. We can shift from control to care, from hoarding to redistribution, from the individual to the collective, at least in our mindset and in our locus of control.
And while this might feel overwhelming to take on overnight, start sitting with these mindset shifts. As you do, you will start to recognize patterns under capitalism that you see being perpetuated— by others or by yourself— and simply noticing those patterns is powerful. Start to shift these patterns slowly, encouraging yourself to unwind from this harmful system should it resonate.
As a reminder, I am still learning about capitalism and how it is to operate in an anti-capitalist way under capitalism. I likely missed the mark in some places here, and I committed to learning and growth, and to progress over perfection. I invite you to join me in this dialogue, to challenge my understanding of the topic, and to share perhaps where you see things differently.
What’s something you’d like to continue exploring that you’ve learned in this post? Please share it in the comments!