Source
r/CapitalismVSocialism•
brencameron

Is foreign lobbying an expected outcome of Capitalism? Is there a way to disincentivise it?

The news about Michael Flynn's associate getting convicted has reminded me - Because of capitalism's emphasis on money-making, there are many lobbyists and influencers who are getting paid to convince their own government to do things that a foreign country wants done. This seems obviously un-ethical. They aren't producing anything of value, or entertaining people, yet the US political system (and others in the modern world) does nothing to discourage it. What would the answer be ?

Posted Jul 24, 2019, 1:02 PM UTC

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andyM1998Objectivism•

Lobbying government to have special favors done for you is not a feature of capitalism. It is the anti capitalist laws that give politicians the power over capitalists that lobbyists fight over.

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Necrotyrannus•

Yeah, it is. Saying it with inverse spin doesn't change what you're saying.

It is the anti capitalist laws that give politicians the power over capitalists that lobbyists fight over.

The people seek protection from irresponsible and predatory capitalist policies, and lobbyists exist to overturn the people's will by capturing regulators. Class antagonism in action.

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69CervixDestroyer69Cum Man•

who are getting paid to convince their own government to do things that a foreign country wants done. This seems obviously un-ethical

That isn't at all obvious to me

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baronmad•

Lobbying is setting up special conditions for special industry so that they dont have to play fair with their competition. That is not really falling all that well into the idea of a free market which is one of the cornerstones of capitalism.

Lobbying is anti capitalist by its very nature, same thing with rescuing the banks during the 2008 housing crisis, they shouldnt have.

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Necrotyrannus•

That's because the free market's a myth and capitalists will seek any advantage they can get, especially exclusive advantage.

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baronmad•

By definition if they seek to gain an advantage over their competitors by getting politicians to invoke laws which helps them, they dont believe in capitalism.

Capitalism is two things.

Private ownership.

Free Markets <-- this is the one they violate by lobbying.

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Necrotyrannus•

Then even capitalists don't believe in capitalism.
Or the ideological component only exists to subdue the proles.

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baronmad•

Im sorry that doesnt at all follow.

By going against one of the pillars of capitalism you actually can not be a capitalist.

That is like calling yourself a christian and worship the devil.

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