Capitalism and extreme poverty: A global analysis of real wages, human height, and mortality since the long 16th century

[motonoggin]

Capitalism and extreme poverty: A global analysis of real wages, human height, and mortality since the long 16th century.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X22002169#b0680

 

Highlights

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The common notion that extreme poverty is the “natural” condition of humanity and only declined with the rise of capitalism rests on income data that do not adequately capture access to essential goods.

 

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Data on real wages suggests that, historically, extreme poverty was uncommon and arose primarily during periods of severe social and economic dislocation, particularly under colonialism.

 

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The rise of capitalism from the long 16th century onward is associated with a decline in wages to below subsistence, a deterioration in human stature, and an upturn in premature mortality.

 

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In parts of South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, wages and/or height have still not recovered.

 

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Where progress has occurred, significant improvements in human welfare began only around the 20th century. These gains coincide with the rise of anti-colonial and socialist political movements.

 

 

[racer254]

If any of your bullshit was actually true, the American Middle Class would not exist in the sense it does.  I respect your opinion, but you really don't have a brain in your head if you actually believe the propaganda you push.

[Bontz]

I've learned one thing when it comes to Dan and his never ending nonsense ...

[Highmark]

The idea that the masses aren't vastly better off today than previous times in history is completely laughable.  

[motonoggin]

47 minutes ago, Highmark said:

The idea that the masses aren't vastly better off today than previous times in history is completely laughable.  

The propaganda around capitalism is thicc.

This paper has some revelatory insights.

[motonoggin]

1 hour ago, racer254 said:

If any of your bullshit was actually true, the American Middle Class would not exist in the sense it does.  I respect your opinion, but you really don't have a brain in your head if you actually believe the propaganda you push.

It's not an opinion, it's fact based on science.

[Highmark]

7 minutes ago, motonoggin said:

The propaganda around capitalism is thicc.

This paper has some revelatory insights.

When do you or the study say capitalism began?  

6 minutes ago, motonoggin said:

It's not an opinion, it's fact based on science.

Science that use the words like "suggests" in its main bullet points.    

Trying to compare quality of life pre 1800's to now and using a couple metrics to say it was better at one point than now and that a socialist agenda is what made it better is pseudo science at best.  The most destitute countries in worlds history came under the heavy hand of communism.   Dude close to 100 million people have died under communism which yes is socialism.   Care to show how they calculated that into their "science."    

[Matt]

Global capital markets and capitalism has lifted more people out of abject poverty and ended more hunger in the last 50 years than any other system in the history of planet Earth.  It is of course not a perfect system.  There are bad actors and unintended consequences for certain.  But on the whole, human 'well being' all across the planet, on the whole, has never been better any time, ever.  That's not a capitalist argument.  That's a simple fact.

[Highmark]

Socialist aspects of free societies only work because of capitalism ensures there is the funding available.  Full socialist societies fail.   Even countries like China and Vietnam have come to the realization that a more free market helps fund the social aspect of it.  Has China became more prosperous since it opened up its markets or less?  

Democracies with large social programs (Scandinavian countries) also practice more free market capitalism than the US.  They also benefit from a more resource based economy and are rich in those natural resources. 

Socialism on its own fails. 

Edited September 21, 2022 by Highmark

[spin_dry]

The idea that capitalism and capitalism alone can offer a good standard of living is a false premise. I’m sure this will be debated over and over, but the evidence doesn’t back it up as being true. America has had times where things just fucking sucked economically. I’m not talking in recent years either. Step back into the 1800’s and early 1900’s and it was a shit filled existence. 

[Highmark]

32 minutes ago, spin_dry said:

The idea that capitalism and capitalism alone can offer a good standard of living is a false premise. I’m sure this will be debated over and over, but the evidence doesn’t back it up as being true. America has had times where things just fucking sucked economically. I’m not talking in recent years either. Step back into the 1800’s and early 1900’s and it was a shit filled existence. 

Not according to this "study."    

[spin_dry]

43 minutes ago, Highmark said:

Not according to this "study."    

It was a great existence for the railroad barons. TR fixed some of that.