Capitalism and Consumerism
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, a man that I respect for his intellect and understanding, used his Easter Sunday sermon to attack the world's greed for "comfo
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, a man that I respect for his intellect and understanding, used his Easter Sunday sermon to attack the world’s greed for “comforts and luxuries”. He specifically mentions nation’s greed for oil, power and territory. I’m rather quick to confess that I have had a comfortable life and am happy. (Being British I can only be so happy!) Most UK citizens could say the same, especially when compared to the suffering of others elsewhere in the world. The major issue for us today, and this is more prevalent in Britain today than anywhere in the western world, is the destruction of our society and values because of consumerism fuelled by capitalism.
Although Labour would argue that they have fought and won the battle for social change over their last decade in power, the government has worked at constantly eroding the socialist principles of our once proud nation in favour of the benefits of the “free market”. How a party that built its strength through its members and unions has become so detached from the grass-roots is amazing. In balance, the Labour party have introduced reforms like the minimum wage that has made a great different to people’s lives.
My argument is based on what I see happening around me. During the University term I live in Bristol. It’s a very pleasant city that is always buzzing with life. I am rather proud to say that I live there. But a city with a population of 300,000, although there is deprivation, it’s a melting pot of cultures, ideas, philosophies. Capitalism and consumerism can work in this city because there is some wealth and people are better informed. This gives them the freedom to vote with their feet.
Every time I return to Llanelli the town looks worse. Although there are huge developments in the Trostre and Pemberton areas of town with Retail Park after Retail Park and a new stadium, the town centre is dying. Everything is being withdrawn to a faceless out-of-town development where you could imagine that you are in any town in the country. It’s not just the cultural, but consumerism aspect. People can now be even lazier. Instead of driving or walking into town to shop, everybody now drives to the retail park and then drives between each store. (Trostre Retail Park seems to be designed specifically so that it is almost impossible for pedestrians to walk between the sites. How it got planning permission I don’t know.) Additionally, these Retail Parks are anti-competitive and strikes at the very heart of Capitalism. Retails parks with large expensive units mean that smaller or local traders are essentially excluded from these sites and as a result cannot compete against their larger rivals on an equal footing.
The irony of this, and it requires some though, is that Capitalism is by definition unsustainable. Coupled with moving industry and services abroad to make economies, who will buy their product in the end? It is up to those who truly believe in Socialism and the Compassionate Society to campaign and work though the political organisations to change the direction of this country. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with Nationalisation, state ownership and regulation. Local people should have a greater say on what happens in their community.