General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Probelm With Capitalism [View all]MineralMan
(146,286 posts)something else. That is how it began. It's much more complicated today, of course, but the principle is the same. You have something to offer, and someone needs (or desires) that something. Today, you need a cell phone. You can't barter for that, though, and it's not something that can be made by a single craftsman.
The supply chain for the goods we all need or want is very, very long indeed. Commerce is required, and capitalism is the only successful way to make that happen, frankly. That cellphone requires manufacturing through assembly of components that come from dozens if not hundreds of sources. Such a thing is impossible without capitalism, frankly, in some form or another.
No truly socialist society has ever succeeded in modern times. None. Things are just too complex for it to succeed.
So, no, my reply was not a non-sequitur. It is the foundation of all commerce.