How Does Altruism Work In Capitalism?
By Brayden Huynh, a student at John Bapst in Bangor
My question came from the topic of altruism and self-interest and how it plays a role in societies. Their vast differences made me instantly think of communism and capitalism and how they are the exact opposite in almost the same ways. With capitalism being very self-interest based, I thought it would be interesting to find out how altruism works within capitalism.
Altruism is defined as a behavior exhibited by a person that often benefits another at a cost to themselves. Altruistic people are described as selfless, considerate, unselfish and at times self sacrificing. Are these characteristics evident in a modern capitalistic society? Our grandparents may not think so, they would say “gone are the good old days”; but evidence supports that indeed, altruism is alive.
In reading the article “People Are Less Selfish Under Capitalism,” the writer tells a story of a young woman that came to the United States from Albania. The young woman described life in a communist country and her surprise to find that Americans are generous and caring. Her experience in Albania was that people were taught not to care for others. They are to care for themselves above all else. This young woman was dumbfounded to hear that in some areas of American society, there is fear that capitalism leads to self interest to the point of becoming uncaring of the rest of society and their welfare. Fortunately, author Abigail Marsh, sought out evidence to support that capitalism brings out altruism in society. Marsh demonstrates that “an overwhelming body of scientific data supports the conclusion that human beings are in no way fundamentally selfish or callous.” The author fails to mention, however, that although humans are not inherently selfish, society can often create a sense of immorality and selfishness through media propaganda. In today’s society, values are often not learned from modeling in the home, but often from what social media and news reporting leads us to believe is in the interest of all.
Further reading from Forbes writer Fred L. Smith Jr. describes a need for kidney donations in medical society. After attending a conference that's focus was to bring to light the goal “to overcome deficits in altruism that limit the supply of bone marrow, blood products, and transplantable organs.” The discussion revolved around a market system for donations of organs and blood products. The theory is that creating a market would increase the bonds and links between people. It would unite strangers in a common goal. It would require that people come to understand and value others. Humanity is described as both self regarding and altruistic at the same time. The author fails to take note of what may happen if greed takes over. What might happen to the markets? Will only those of certain populations, of standing in community or those with financial means over power the good in this market?
It is encouraging to read that our grandparents might be misguided in their current thinking. Society today, the Millennial generation, are indeed altruistic in nature. We are a society that may outwardly appear as self regarding as we fight for our individual rights, we work hard to achieve wealth, we strive for the top. When it comes to humanity, we have hearts, we can be compassionate, kind and giving. Natural disasters, medical emergencies and stories from other lands all touch at our self regarding hearts and lead us to the deeper selfless sides of our natures.
In conclusion, I am left to wonder, given the current state of the world abroad in the Ukraine, will we see more altruism surface? Will the stories and pictures of the devastation of life in a country not yet an ally, bring out the best in Americans? Will we reach back from the “good old days” of our grandparents and see life through a new lens? Will Russian society start to turn towards capitalism as a new way of life? It will be a journey worth installing in our memories to share with our future grandchildren.
Works Cited
“Altruism and Capitalism, the Atlas Society: Ayn Rand, Objectivism, Atlas Shrugged.” , The Atlas Society | Ayn Rand, Objectivism, Atlas Shrugged, https://www.atlassociety.org/post/altruism-and-capitalism.
Brownstein, Barry. “People Are Less Selfish under Capitalism... Especially Compared to Socialism: Barry Brownstein.” FEE Freeman Article, Foundation for Economic Education, 25 May 2018, https://fee.org/articles/people-are-less-selfish-under-capitalism/.
Smith, Fred L., et al. “Does a Market Economy Encourage Altruism?” Competitive Enterprise Institute, https://cei.org/opeds_articles/does-a-market-economy-encourage-altruism/.