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So here are some signs major themes that define ‘internalised capitalism’, it’s summarised in bullet point format, so it’s easy on the eyes.
Signs of internalised capitalism
– You determine your worth based on your productivity
– You feel guilty for resting
– Your primary concern is to make yourself profitable
– You neglect your health
– You think ‘hard work’ is what brings happiness
Of the points listed, I’m not sure about neglecting health, however if it’s in the context of overworking caused by overtime or the actual job itself having become hazardous and energy demanding in the pursuit of more money and profit—then yes I can see why that could be bad for one’s wellbeing. We should just say neglecting health because you’re a workaholic.
Anyway, since this is loosely defined, I’ll take a postmodern approach to this by giving my own definition of ‘internalised capitalism’ which I hope will be useful to you the reader.
On the macroscopic scale of the economic system, we see that as capitalism has been proven historically to be a system characterised by a constant drive to improve technology and production methods for the pursuit of profit, we also see a similar phenomenon in comparison on the scale of the individual. This same capitalistic urgency to improve the margins of productivity is reflected in the very behaviour of citizens living in capitalism, characterised by tirelessly working to improve themselves for the purpose of becoming a more efficient economic unit, along with the narrow belief that the purpose of life is to acquire as much wealth as possible in order gain status and reputation.
The capitalist system is a competitive prove-yourself kind of society. You’ve got to be somebody; it is terrible to be a nobody. So this sense of being a somebody, being a self-made man or woman, proving yourself, getting somewhere, being deemed a productive member of society—is an ideal that is held from the very beginning.
Because of the capitalist/enlightenment metanarrative of progress, not only must capitalist society improve by pursuing greater and greater heights of economic growth—but on the personal level you must constantly improve yourself if you don’t want to be left behind in making significant amounts of money.
Everyone learns the tools of the trade, how can anyone born in a capitalist society not internalise capitalism? As they grow, they at the same time undergo socialisation within the milieu of the economic system, they observe how business is done and how commodities must be exchanged for money. Moreover, this socialization is reinforced through daily interactions with others, including family members, friends, and colleagues, who are all embedded in the same capitalistic relations of intercourse. Over time, individuals come to see the pursuit of profit and the accumulation of wealth as the primary goal of economic activity, and learn to value productivity, efficiency, and competition above other considerations.
This process of socialization can be seen as a form of internalized capitalism, as individuals come to view themselves and their worth in terms of their ability to succeed within the capitalist system. The pressure to conform to these norms can be intense, as individuals must constantly strive to improve their skills and productivity in order to compete in a highly competitive market.
However, this internalization of capitalism can also have negative consequences, as individuals may become overly focused on their own economic gain at the expense of others and neglect their own well-being in the pursuit of success. Moreover, the emphasis on individual success and competition can undermine the collective well-being of society, leading to social inequality and the marginalization of those who are unable to keep up with the demands of the market.
Since much of the material things in life within a capitalistic economy are commodified, meaning they are available to be bought or sold on the market, to get wealth one must participate in the economic system by accumulating money.
To become wealthy you have no choice but to internalise capitalism; you need to internalize capitalist values and norms, such as competition, productivity, and efficiency. Because others, many or few of them depending where you live, are doing the same thing; competing for wealth.
You can have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but only if you can afford it! It’s simple, the more money you’ve got, the more you can get; the less money you’ve got the less you get! And the poorer you are, the more expensive everything in the market seems to be!
Take the pursuit of happiness, for example, this may require financial resources that are simply out of reach for those who are struggling to make ends meet. Access to quality education, healthcare, housing, and other basic needs can be prohibitively expensive for those who are living in poverty.
“It’s Called the American Dream Because You Have To Be Asleep to Believe It” – George Carlin.
While the accumulation of wealth may be seen as a key to achieving the American Dream, it is important to recognize that this dream is not equally accessible to everyone. The persistence of economic inequality and systemic barriers to opportunity mean that many people are simply unable to achieve the level of prosperity that would enable them to fully enjoy their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
To sum it up, capitalism has a massive influence on our society, affecting both the big picture of the economy and the way we live our lives day-to-day. The desire to maximize profit and efficiency that drives capitalism can push us to work ourselves to the bone, putting our health and well-being on the line. The constant pressure to succeed in a cutthroat world can narrow our definition of success, reducing our worth to a simple balance sheet of assets and liabilities.
But it’s crucial to realize that these tendencies are not simply the result of individual choices or traits. Rather, they are the product of larger social and economic forces, such as the skyrocketing cost of housing, scarcity of job opportunities and declining class mobility. By acknowledging these factors, we can gain a deeper insight into the way capitalism impacts our lives and begin to create a society that is more just and fair for everyone.
So, let’s not be disheartened by the challenges of the current system. By working together to confront the issues of inequality and injustice, we can build a better future that reflects our values and aspirations as a society.
