“Should American multinational companies like Apple, Blizzard, Google, and the NBA promote democratic values around the world even if it means losing profits, or should they abide by local government wishes, including censoring people and information?”
— 2021, Question
The world seems like it’s falling apart. Covid-19; violent exchanges between protestors, armed citizens, and the police; a divisive election that threatens to break America apart; wildfires exacerbated by climate change; and so much more. Many people feel that “capitalism” is to blame. Its critics charge that free-market excesses lead to indefensible income inequality, political oppression, and horrendous work conditions that force people into humiliating and dangerous part-time jobs with no benefits.
Defenders of capitalism see it the other way. They see the shutdown and quarantine as the cause of problems. Big government and lazy people are trampling on law-abiding and hard-working citizens, or so they claim. Capitalism is an economic system that promotes freedom, they say, but some people will always lose. That’s just the way it is.
Obviously, these positions are two extremes, and it is likely that the truth falls somewhere in between. But what is that truth? This essay is the opportunity for you to have your say.
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