Global Intifada

Perhaps “capitalism” isn’t the proper term. Maybe “materialism” or better yet “dunya-ism” is more accurate. After all, the core difference between capitalism and communism is their means, not their effect. They are both infatuated with the dunya and how property is to be generated and distributed. Regardless if one follows either paradigm, they are equally harmful. Anyhow, the underlying point is that capitalism-materialism-dunyaism is unsustainable spiritually, economically, ecologically, psychologically, and even physiologically.

It is unsustainable spiritually because it imbues the human mind with thoughts of the eternality of the universe and causes him to forget his purpose in life which is, namely, to worship one’s creator.

It is economically unsustainable because by its very nature, capitalism requires a division of labor and a stratified class structure that will lead to inevitable conflict. Its interest-based commercial transactions that is tied into a corporatist state will always produce an imperial power focused on monopolozing key markets to preserve its economic superiority. This will lead to either the forced integration into a global market wracked with inequalities or it will simply annihilate whatever traditional society or competitor that stands in its way. However, when access to such markets becomes limited, and it inevitably will, due either to the overconsumption and destruction of the environment or the formation of overbearing monopolies that paralyze true economic growth, then it will lead its own economic destruction.

It is ecologically unsustainable because the type of growth in 1st world country is impossible to replicate in third world countries without destroying the physical environment. Imagine if everyone in the world lived the life-style of the fast-fooding eating, energy consuming, SUV driving American. Ecosystems all over the world would be, and are being, destroyed. It should come to no surprise that industrialized countries produce more harmful waste than less wealthier nations.

It is psychologically unsustainable because it creates alienation within all members of society, regardless if they are workers or owners since the credit system results in indebtitude by all actors within the system, except the homeless. This existential crisis will produce either nihilism, violence, excessive consumerism, substance abuse, and ultimately suicide. See this article that indicates that more youth die of suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDs, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, and influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. 

It is physiologically unsustainable since it places pressures on the human body that it cannot withstand. The constant tensions arising from a competitive market creates levels of stress that either result in depression or heart diseases. See this article that describes how 70% of people under the age of 50 who describe their work as being “stressful” end up getting heart disease.

Whatever way you look at it, capitalism is leading to the spiritual and material destruction of human civilization.

The real question is: what is the alternative?

Islam.

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