Telling Capitalism's Story to the Non-Economist

Economics is pretty boring.

In particular when we read many economists, they're so deeply entrenched in academic theory that we can't understand them, can't relate to them, and don't really know why it's all that important.

As more of an obsessive layman--rather than academic lifer--I believe I can write about capitalism in a way that you, the reader, will really understand. Whenever you walk away from a post, I want you to understand why it's important to think about, and what the capitalist perspective (or at least my perspective) looks like. I want everything to matter, and to make sense.

I'll be telling capitalism's story through both "case studies" -- or just historical events like the great depression explained through the capitalist lens -- or by introducing really important concepts that should help the reader see events, policies, and behavior around him in a new light.

I intend to be rigorous about backing up my claims with data, but I will simplify concepts enough to not make them totally maddening. I will use examples an anecdotes to demonstrate a larger point, knowing that such an anecdote does not irrefutably prove it.

In fact, I won't try to irrefutably prove anything--the academic economists aren't able to do it to each other and I don't intend to write the thousand-page treatises (especially for you, dear reader) that attempt to "settle" the debate.

I want simply for you to understand capitalism: what it is, what it's not, and I'll leave it to you, dear reader, to decide if it truly resonates deep down. 

My Disclaimer

I am young, I am biased, and I am often wrong.

I promise my readers that I shall do my damnedest to research thoroughly my claims—including the evidence that points to the opposite conclusions of my own. I shall do my damnedest to use this blog as an exercise to seek truth as much as it is an exercise to change the minds of others.

But I am fallible, and am prone to logical fallacies and biases in evidence gathering. We humans are particularly prone to these in matters about which we are morally passionate about the outcome (like politics) rather than passionate about simply knowing whatever the truth may be (like physics).

Recognizing this, I must give myself the leeway to change my mind, to amend what I’ve said, to admit I was wrong in an earlier post and press forward. I am proud of my capacity to recognize that I am wrong, admit it, change my views to new evidence, and press forward that way. But my writing about capitalism will be a constant morphing and discovering, and will never be perfect. I hope that I can achieve something close enough to the truth to inspire others to believe in the vision I have, even if in the future they will go on to do great things that I even advocated against.

I must also reserve the right to not be pinned down by the connotations of the word “capitalism.” Like “socialism,” one can assume a series of policies under its umbrella that could be mutually contradictory or unthinkingly dogmatic. It is very loaded. Don’t assume too much about exactly what I think until you’ve read me say it. I believe passionately in environmental regulation, support publicly-funded (though not state-operated) education, and have mixed feelings about welfare and wealth redistribution. You might say “but that’s not capitalism!” and I say, “fine, I shall come up with a better name for it in due time.” Be patient with me.

If you’re willing to do all of that and be open-minded to hear me out beyond the tagline of the blog post, then come with me. Leave comments and feedback. Tell me I’m wrong. Help me refine my message. I want to learn from you as much as I hope you’ll learn from me.