capitalism
an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
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Origin of capitalism
1word story For capitalism
On the surface, the meaning of capitalism seems straightforward, referring to an economic system in which private individuals, rather than governments, own property and businesses. But beneath the surface, strong currents of opinion and theory swirl about the term. Many people fiercely espouse capitalism as an economic freedom inseparable from democracy, as reflected in several books considered classics and still avidly read today: for example, Capitalism and Freedom by Nobel laureate Milton Friedman (first published in 1962), and Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy by Joseph A. Schumpeter (first published in 1943). So it may be a challenge to use the term without triggering a discussion of its broader political context.
popular references For capitalism
— The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Capitalism: A treatise on economics and political science by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, first published in 1928.
— The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures: 2009 play by Tony Kushner. The play's title was inspired by Shaw's book and Mary Baker Eddy's Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
— Capitalism: A Love Story: 2009 documentary film written and directed by, and starring, Michael Moore.
—Monopoly, the classic capitalism board game, from Hasbro. (“The success of Monopoly mirrors the success of capitalism,” noted Philip E. Orbanes, in his 2006 book, Monopoly: The World's Most Famous Game. )
Other words from capitalism
- an·ti·cap·i·tal·ism, noun
- pro·cap·i·tal·ism, noun
Words Nearby capitalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use capitalism in a sentence
It’s using capitalism as a vehicle to access data that can help it disrupt democratic processes and create a more favorable global environment for its power.
We are making capitalism for everyone, by doing it as well as anyone.
On the other hand, I could say the technology that is a result of our capitalism produces efficiency, which theoretically would require less energy, which would theoretically in the long run, create opportunities for more growth with less energy.
That’s one thing that distinguishes American capitalism from the more regulated and moderated capitalism you see in much of Europe and in Canada.
How to Prevent Another Great Depression (Ep. 421) | Stephen J. Dubner | June 11, 2020 | FreakonomicsEventually, the rise of western liberalism, with its prioritization of the individual, capitalism and consumerism led to a new “face politics.”
We Are All Niqabis Now: Coronavirus Masks Reveal Hypocrisy Of Face Covering Bans | LGBTQ-Editor | April 29, 2020 | No Straight News
Neither Smith nor Marx can carry us far into the guts of globalized financial capitalism.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years | Jedediah Purdy | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe expected European capitalism to evolve spontaneously into a market socialism of worker-owned cooperatives.
American Democracy Under Threat for 250 Years | Jedediah Purdy | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDemocrats need to respond aggressively to the crony capitalism practiced by many Republicans, particularly regarding Wall Street.
By the implicit laws of capitalism, I'm pretty sure this makes Bieber the new commander in chief.
Justin Bieber Isn’t Even 21, Yet Makes More Money Than Meryl Streep | Amy Zimmerman | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe book rejects capitalism, market mechanisms, and even, seemingly, profit motives and corporate governance.
Naomi Klein’s ‘This Changes Everything’ Will Change Nothing | Michael Signer | November 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe has been doing it all his life: making an example of social victims, the victims of his own class, of capitalism.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander BerkmanI had attempted the life of a great magnate; in him capitalism felt itself attacked.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander BerkmanAnd step by step, as the processes of capitalism culminated, this war increased in bitterness and intensity.
Love's Pilgrimage | Upton SinclairIt is apparently forgotten that capitalism ruled by hereditary power.
The New Society | Walther RathenauIn Russia and China, there was the frenzied resistance to capitalism.
The Status Civilization | Robert Sheckley
British Dictionary definitions for capitalism
/ (ˈkæpɪtəˌlɪzəm) /
Also called: free enterprise, private enterprise an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, characterized by the freedom of capitalists to operate or manage their property for profit in competitive conditions: Compare socialism (def. 1)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for capitalism
An economic and political system characterized by a free market for goods and services and private control of production and consumption. (Compare socialism and communism.)
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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