The PoliEcon Insight

The Dark Side of Capitalism: Environmental Degradation Capitalism, with its emphasis on free markets, competition, and profit maximization, has fundamentally shaped the modern economic landscape. While it has spurred innovation, economic growth, and improved living standards for many, it has also precipitated severe environmental degradation. The relentless pursuit of profit often comes at the expense of the planet's ecological health, leading to unsustainable practices that threaten the very foundations of life on Earth. This exploration delves into the dark side of capitalism, focusing on its contribution to environmental degradation and the pressing need for a more sustainable economic model. Mechanisms of Environmental Degradation in Capitalism 1. Resource Exploitation: Capitalism thrives on the extraction and consumption of natural resources. From fossil fuels to timber and minerals, the drive for profit leads to the over-extraction of resources, often without regard for the l...