Single Idea 20681

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 11. Capitalism]

Full Idea

In the new capitalist creed, the first and most sacred commandment is: The profits of production must be reinvested in increasing production.

Gist of Idea

The sacred command of capitalism is that profits must be used to increase production

Source

Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens: brief history of humankind [2014], 16 'Growing')

Book Reference

Harari,Yuval Noah: 'Sapiens: a brief history of Humankind' [Vintage 2014], p.349


A Reaction

In this sense, capitalism is less greedy than its predecessors. 17th century aristocratic monopolists simply spent the profits of their activities. See the gorgeous clothes then (and pyramids and palaces), and the quiet suits of capitalists.