Dinesh D'Souza, on perspectives on capitalism, selfishness and greed...

THE FIRST and most familiar charge against capitalism is that it is a system
based on selfishness and greed. Left-wing critics such as Karl Marx and more
traditional sources such as the New Testament seem to agree on the depraved
inclinations of rich and successful people.

Adam Smith, the high priest of capitalism whose *Wealth of Nations* first
articulated the case for free markets in 1776, resoundingly affirms this
indictment: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or
the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their own interest. We
address ourselves, not to their humanity, but to their self-love, and never
talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages."

-- Dinesh D'Souza, in *The Virtue of Prosperity: Finding Values in an Age of
Techno-Afflulence* (Simon & Schuster, NY). Priced US$14. ISBN
0-684-86815-6.  284 pages. 2000.  Dedicated to the author's father Allan
D'Souza, 1933-2000. Available for Rs 100 in Goa.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

portuguese nationality for goans

Mother-of-Pearl Shell Windows - Architecture of Goa

Jason Almeida brings a slice of Goa to UK via Potyo restaurant