I agree with some of your statements, but capitalism's principles state we are naturally self-interested, rational, and motivated by incentives. The school of thought that developed these ideologies interpreted them as we are only self-interested in pursuing wealth incentives, but we have to purchase basic needs. Of course, we're going to engage in the system and emigrate to cities to find work to pay for our survival, and that's rational, but our behavior is mostly irrational.

When feudalism ended, people moved to economic hubs/cities to obtain the means to feed themselves and their families. Survival is human nature, but societies providing basic needs radically alter behavior. The problem with any economic system coercing a community to produce goods for a nation's GDP and survival hinders the ability to pursue social and emotional needs. Hence, survival instincts cast a sense of scarcity and selfish behaviors.

US capitalism today values profit-seeking more than fulfilling society's basic and emotional needs. Politicians and culture are equally responsible for undermining human nature, but capitalism's principles cultivate behaviors. This isn't to say violence, greed, and power wouldn't naturally exist, but we live in a system that promotes these traits.

Data collected on the wealthy and poorer people's norms show that more affluent people believe society is violent, greedy, and power-seeking. In comparison, more impoverished people tend to believe humanity is communal and supportive. Obviously, this is just a snapshot, but it provides some insight into wealth's effect on attitudes.

It's tough to imagine society's norms under an alternative system because we don't have a comparison, but there's no doubt the pursuit of capital strongly impacts our actions. I continually ask myself, would people exploit others if we were guaranteed basic needs? What would people pursue if we had the freedom to choose jobs and hobbies that didn't require generating profits to feed and house ourselves?

Capitalism isn't inherently bad, but it needs regulations and acknowledgment of its externalities. The dominant school of thought that developed econ textbooks and curriculum was based on unfounded theories of human nature, and the inaccuracies remain prevalent throughout society.

Thanks for the interesting comment! I'll read your essay soon. xo