Ask Prof Wolff: Is Capitalism a Religion?

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A Patron of Democracy at Work asks: "Is capitalism a religion? Has it become the established religion of the United States?"
This is Professor Richard Wolff's video response.
Submit your own question to be considered for a video response by Prof. Wolff on Patreon: / community .
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[@RaedShaker]

This talk is very enlighting, too much admiration and respect .

[@jgalt308]

Really, in what way have you been enlightened?

[@jgalt308]

@@josemengelez6947 I have no idea who you are talking to or what you are talking about, or why you are talking at all, nor have I asked any such question. If you are claiming to be John Galt, then you should be addressing Wolff and his cult directly...and you will get plenty of attention, and you can post it five times a week. The schedule is the following...Economic Update on Monday, two selected excerpts from the Monday show on Tuesday, and two Ask Prof Wolff lucky lottery winners on Thursday and Friday. Now you will be dealing with mostly the "willfully ignorant, functionally illiterate" so you might want to clean up that "incoherent mass of rhetoric" as well as direct it to the proper audience. Happy hunting and hope you have better aim next time.

[@Livoirienyvoitrien]

Professor Wolff, I wish I could’ve been your student when I was young. Considering my German upbringing, American English always rang the bells of freedom for me. My path is ahead, the goal is in sight, I now have to say goodbye more and more often each day. As we waste our lives for the rat race in the grand scheme of things, so am I. But it gives me comfort that the dream of a humane, equal, sustainable future for mankind is being dreamt on. It somehow tells me it wasn’t completely in vain.

[@Blackbirdchills]

Watch all of his vids, are you not-seee ing it????

[@stevenmedge3479]

One of the best responses yet, thanks as always

[@jgalt308]

How? According to marxism, religion is the "opiate" of the people...this means that "no strange god is acceptable"... So what is the logic here? Capitalism, whatever it is, didn't ban religion...but marxism does?

[@boombot934]

Thank you❤🌹🙏 dear Prof. Wolff! You confirmed my anticipation!

[@jgalt308]

What was that exactly?

[@deddalus01]

Brilliant as usual

[@kurnutovsky]

I enjoy and share Professor Wolff's comments on capitalism, economics and philosophy and I think he explains things in a way that workers will enjoy and that will make us want to know more. On his point that capitalism began in England in the 18th century, I thought it would be earlier than that , around the 16th. The industrial bourgeois gained dominance in the 19th century with the coming of the Industrial revolution and the decline of the power and influence of the agricultural capitalist. As I understood it, the Wool industry was the first major introduction of capitalist production. Not a big deal, just my thought. Also I don't know enough of his conclusions about how we end it and where we go from there. He talks a lot about cooperative's and coops which I do not opposes but how we get to that point is another issue. Anyway, good stuff again from Wolff.

[@jgalt308]

How is it good stuff when he has no clue what capitalism is, or when it began?

[@kurnutovsky]

@@jgalt308 I am assuming you watched it. He is correct about religion and capitalism. Catholicism was the religion of the feudal aristocracy and the rising capitalist class couldn't have a religion that looked down on commerce. I have watched a number of his videos that are directed at working people and he speaks in a way that would not put off a worker interested in this issue. I shared some differences I have with his views but being in the US where I was once told a national health system was communism, I think he plays a positive role.

[@jgalt308]

@@kurnutovsky He claims to be a Marxist...so tell me what religion does marxism permit? ( as an opiate of the people? ) As for a "national healthcare system" between Medicare and Medicaid...the "poor" can get everything it has to offer... in the U.S. medical error is the third leading cause of death, ( actually it's the leading cause of death and that was pre-pandemic ) post-pandemic, it managed to kill all the old people it could, and refused to actually treat anyone...until it was forced to, and then killed most of them. None of which is capitalism...but then as I said, Wolff has no idea what that is...and the feudal aristocracy was just that...also known as the rentier economy, and Marx expected "capitalism" to end that system...and as Michael Hudson has explained he was wrong, it didn't. As for workers, they have a choice...they can be employed by someone who produces things, or by the state...in the scheme of things, the state doesn't have much of a success rate in this regard. So I expect you will respond to this, maybe...just make sure you start with the first point... He claims to be a Marxist...so tell me what religion does marxism permit? ( as an opiate of the people? )

[@3rdmm]

The religious instinct is real, and you direct it at that which you believe gives your life meaning.

[@BlueGiant69202]

That's why I like the professional writer L. Ron Hubbard's definition of religion as applied philosophy. People apply a philosophy in their life which is their religion.

[@jasonbeneke4710]

idunno about Capitalism being a religion but it sure has all the hallmarks of a cult...

[@woodytobiasjr8265]

So do most religions.

[@jgalt308]

That's probably why marxism rejects all religions except its own.

[@markbulmer5227]

I wish these videos had the picture that go with the link when you add it to Twitter. I'm constantly sharing them with our politicians in Canada and US.

[@davepetrovich9851]

Great lesson. I'm gonna watch it again. Thank you.

[@BlueGiant69202]

In the mid 1950's, the professional writer and founder of the Church of Scientology promoted a definition of religion as applied philosophy. With this definition, the Protestant work ethic, Objectivism and how people work could become part of a secular religion.

[@paulbangash4317]

Yes , it is a religion. Mammon is the deity . There are others names for the idol. Protestantism replaced god with mammon and led to the final perversion of that faith. Protestants also brought us Puritanism and all of its resulting neurosis.

[@hamaguitar]

I just ordered the book Thanks 👍

[@Labor_Jones]

THANK YOU! - Professor Wolff! *Anybody can sell you 'Grace' if all you want is a Pardon,* .... ..... ... .... *But nobody can sell you 'faith.'* Marvin F. Gershowitz (1953-2023 or longer)

[@barbiedahl]

Yes, it's a vampire cult of exploitation. (First)

[@mischevious]

Spot on. Money is Jesus, the market a cruel god demanding ever more blood sacrifice.

[@RedWinePlease]

I've wondered whether the fundamental character of a market based economy is "acts of omission"--- typically seen as unethical if not illegal. A buyer and a seller, both, deliberatly keep the other party uninformed---the ommission. This advantages one party at the other's loss. Consider that both parties avoid, by all means possible, to not inform the other party as to their maximum buying price and minimum selling price. If a buyer knew the lowest price the seller would accept, the buyer would offer that lower price to the seller and get the best deal possible for the buyer. If the seller knew the highest price the buyer would accept, then the seller would offer his goods and services at that higher price and make the most profit possible for the seller. I'm not advocating profit limits or mandatory disclosure of profits for poducts and services, but it does give one pause when someone says Capitalism, self interest, and profit maximization is the most moral means to run an economy.

[@robertelias9174]

german roman catholic bishop W. E. von Ketteler wrote in 19. century a book "Die Arbeiterfrage und das Christentum" where he advocated for worker coops as a solution of workers question

[@jeannined7532]

"The Way We Live Now" by Anthony Trollope is a biting commentary about the rise of capitalism in England in the 1800's. It was made into a fabulous made for TV movie with the inimitable David Suchet. Highly recommend it.

[@rip5976]

excellent & highly intelligent as well as brilliantly clearly illustrated

[@SuperEraclis]

Thanks

[@denisemorton56]

Excellent and all in eight minutes.

[@tanujSE]

Religion is need and people lives of with it and same applies to marxism Wish Professor Richard Wolff good times with struggle

[@jgalt308]

Marxism doesn't tolerate religion...I guess Wolff forgot, or maybe remembering is just inconvenient. But then many things are "inconvenient" as they pertain to Wolff's understanding.

[@sweetcountrybear]

What an EXCELLENT segment. Thank you.

[@Ghost_Electricity]

Excellent commentary.

[@alexhidel3732]

Capitalism Darwinism Calvinism Catholicism… the almighty Dollar, cash is king 🤴 golden rule, the one with the gold rules

[@chuckleaf8027]

That's the Spirit!!!!!

[@FTR2TS]

Fascinating insights, Dr Wolff. This was so enlightening and helps to make sense of so much we are each witnessing so flagrantly now. Thank you so much!

[@chuzzbot]

Oh here it is! Thanks proff, this is close to what I was thinking. It is my mission from now on to get get the idea that (capitalism is a religion) into any head I encounter.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@beaubiden9293]

You got a new subscriber!

[@cedilloc31]

Thanks!

[@BadWolf-]

This was a great lesson. I appreciate it.

[@jmajick4415]

Social constructs can confine your mind, preventing thought free of possibilities without the established constructs, thus limiting the potential of humankind

[@GenerationX1984]

It's taboo to criticize religion. It's taboo to criticize capitalism. Yup. Definitely a religion it looks like.

[@cedilloc31]

Very true ...thank you for this reflection

[@cev12]

I still wouldn't call it a religion, in the sense that a religion is concerned with spirituality or deities.

[@rip5976]

brilliant

[@silafaupaulmeredith7251]

I am surprised why not more people are watching D@W. Also Yanis Varoufakis moverment

[@TC-eo5eb]

Because most people with even an ounce of common sense are smart enough to know Wolff is selling socialism.

[@silafaupaulmeredith7251]

@@TC-eo5eb What is wrong with a more equitable society or are you content with the 1% running your life. I mean literally you have no vote at all. Did you know the first time I read about socialism? In the Bible

[@screenarts]

YT hides the videos, do notoff them

[@DerekSpeareDSD]

Especially in America there is no Hate like Christian Love...

[@fazbell]

Brilliant analysis.

[@rbj5767]

The Sibling Society by Robert Bly explains this even more deeply...👍❣️🇺🇸🤑💔🗡️🙏💸💸💸💸

[@Lee-Van-Cle]

Excellent vedio, precise and concise! thnx!

[@DioscuriA85]

It’s painful when I hear American Christians try to make the case that individualistic, hyper-materialism can be derived from Christianity.

[@miramartin-parker3725]

I think it's highly ironic that Father Wolff occupies a social position/function that mirrors in its entirety that of a religious leader, while asking if capitalism is a religion. The classroom, the village church, and the cathedral (along with their equivalents in all three Abrahamic faiths) share the same physical, institutional, and influential dynamics. There's an elder (master/father/pater) at the front influencing others at the base (followers/devotees/pupil-subjects). The capitalists seem to be merely those pupils/disciples the religious masters have specifically authorized to "administer scarcity" on their behalf (your words). Hence, the double standard. Please, Father Wolff, explain to the class the difference at the level of physics between power as force and power as influence. A friend of mine in the IWW once told me a story from childhood in which one of the kids at his Catholic high school was being unfairly reprimanded by the Brother/teacher. Finally the kid snapped and kicked the teachers ass--he dragged the Brother/teacher out of the room, into the hall, and then all the way down the stairs. My friend said the entire class sat in their seats stunned during the whole thing. They had never seen anyone stand up to the teacher/master's influence. This story illustrates the difference between physical force and psychological influence. They're not the same, not equal. You always talk only about relations of political equality--social democracy. What about this issue of difference? The distinction between force and influence cannot be reduced to one of identity without logical contradiction. Make sense please. You say capitalists are a religion, yet you and your fellow academics occupy the social position of psychological influence--you inform our minds, fill them with beliefs, turn us into your warrior/followers/devotees, and yet ironically, you call the capitalist class our religious leaders. Who taught you the truth about social power dynamics? I do believe you told Mitch Jeserich in an interview it was a friend of your fathers. This is not the standard, formal, egalitarian, and democratic mode of the transmission of influential knowledge. This is one private person choosing a friends son (a student at Harvard?) to be the carrier and transmitter of rather esoteric ideas. Sounds like the behavior of a spiritual movement to me. If capitalism is a religion, what is its arch nemesis? And how does this relate to the conflict in the Ukraine between the two warring brotherhoods within the Cossack/Kazak (think cassock) community?

[@kmcq692]

Timely video. I’m also watching Richard Reich. And on the pulpit today, we spoke of empty rituals and creating heaven through meaningful actions that further establish Justice and Power, actions of the people-you and I-who are the salt of the earth lending flavor to life. I just love it when it feels like all messages align!

[@kmcq692]

I further extrapolated that the religion of capitalism believes that men are perfectable. That if they simply act solely in their self interest that bounty and justice will rain down on their life. Meanwhile, there exists that philosophy’s inverse. Positing that men are perfectable if only they simply act with their mind on the interests of their community, of those others in their sphere of influence. I’m thinking the frustration comes mostly from the false notion that anything can ever be perfect.

[@adammiller191]

Folks interested in this question, or in religion generally (from a perspective aligned with that of this channel, at least so far as I can tell as a recent subscriber), should check out the work of Bruce Lincoln (University of Chicago). Start with Discourse and the Construction of Society.

[@felicetanka]

Today we have a mix of business and state. Instead Jesús chased the thieving merchants out of their posts.

[@jgalt308]

I believe that was the "rentiers".

[@antenna_prolly]

yes next

[@kevinschmidt2210]

Individual participation on a societal level, in the form of Community Commons, is the key to freedom, self-rule democracy, and abundant, sustainable prosperity. My religious belief is egalitarian, mass participation is the true path of Socialism.

[@bkbland1626]

Absolutely it is.

[@yu-jd5jg]

Capitalism benefits Individualism, whereas Socialism benefits Society

[@kevinschmidt2210]

Individual participation on a societal level, in the form of Community Commons, is the key to freedom, self-rule democracy, and prosperity. It is the true path of Socialism.

[@jgalt308]

Individualism benefits society. Socialism is the stupid idea that society has a right to the efforts of the individual, for FREE!!!

[@yu-jd5jg]

@@jgalt308 Sadly, one of the many Sicknesses in the USA now can be attributed to Extreme Individualism or Me First. And in the world, America First

[@kevinschmidt2210]

@@jgalt308 No one shares your insane opinion. Oligarchy Fascism is the worst idea. It has to end, and you can't stop that end. Whoever programmed you, doesn't know what is happening right now. You are a metaphor for your kind. You are ending.

[@jgalt308]

@@yu-jd5jg But capitalism doesn't exist in the U.S...FDR killed it and the constitution over 80 years ago. And you have 80 plus years of "socialism" and things that would supposedly benefit society and none of them worked...so here you are. So maybe you like most here don't have any idea what any of the words mean? Wolff certainly doesn't and never has.

[@rbj5767]

MORE LIKE THIS ❣️❣️❣️👍🇺🇸🗡️🙏🌎💔💫💫💫💫

[@thecatsbackyard4833]

I checked on Audible but the author is listed as one "Benjamin M. Friedman". Is this different from Mr Tawney's book?

[@TheEnigmaProductions]

It definitely feels like a religion

[@miramartin-parker3725]

I'd love to understand the rationale underpinning the left-right political binary at the level of physics. What has a left side but no right side, a top without a bottom? Sometimes I think it's like political theater sexual power play--like good cop/bad cop. How do like your social power administered, top or bottom? hard or soft? Your choice...we're all equally play things...

[@KainMalice]

The answer is yes. It kinda is. Humans define a lot from what they believe to be true. Our actions are defined by what we believe

[@jgalt308]

It's only true if you understand what capitalism is...and this ain't Wolff!

[@KainMalice]

@@jgalt308 Hmm, watches Aron Ra and also watches Fox. Must be a Libertarian…

[@jgalt308]

@@KainMalice So only those two things? Why not an anarchist? Shame your argument is reduced to citing a "label" for which you have no definition or understanding!

[@KainMalice]

@@jgalt308 Being an anarchist under Capitalism isn’t really all that impressive.

[@jgalt308]

@@KainMalice I didn't say I was...it's just another "label" but apparently you didn't understand that. Here try, again! Shame your argument is reduced to citing a "label" for which you have no definition or understanding!

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

Professor Wolff nailed it. Only difference is Billionaires don't get on their knees and literally pray to their money.

[@oswarz]

If you look at it the right way, they do! What are the "think tanks" but the temples with secular priests who are there to uphold the "religion" of capitalism. What is money but the sacred body of capitalism, to be adored, to be revered.

[@paulbangash4317]

@@oswarz true

[@phyllisjackson4322]

Are you sure?

[@bluewater454]

Probably because capitalism is not a religion. It is simply a way to make money.

[@jgalt308]

@@bluewater454 or better expressed, a way to make money by offerring desired improvements that people will want to purchase?

[@david9920]

Great history lesson p Wolf the church have allied with the capitalist use it as control of the people I agree with Cris hedges. That segments have become facet. So you have given me a good talking point because I use a philosophy of accent Greek teaching of the epicurean that's and the wisdom of my native American grandfather to say the least I am misunderstood in our time

[@zazhou]

How similar is capitalism to an oligarchic society?

[@phyllisjackson4322]

Evolution. Resolution; ?revolution?My head is spinning.

[@kd-mi4mi]

need 4k more subsss

[@antimattv]

It reminds me of the way religious figures in the middle ages co-opted Christianity in order to maintain the divinity of lords.

[@jamesbeane5288]

Christanity is not the problems religion is the problem

[@NelsonGuzmanGarcia]

Liberation Theologists know what Prof Wolf is talking about.

[@rachelthompson9324]

It may not be a religion but it acts like one and works in the same way: capitalism is based on faith and not on math. Capital trumps all religions because everyone uses it.

[@anthonymorris5084]

How does capitalism act like religion? There is no deity. There is no worship. They don't pray to anything. Capitalism is a tool that facilitates innovation and the transaction of goods and services.

[@rachelthompson9324]

@@anthonymorris5084 to show you a comparison would take more word space than available here. study social psychology, history and comparative religion's and you will see it too. The first banks were run by religions, for example. Government, money, and organized religion all hail from the same beginnings. It is a long story but capitalism plays the same tricks religions have and still do. BTW, there is no evidence of god.

[@woodytobiasjr8265]

Yes, it's a religion and the dollar is its god.

[@pcraig1383]

Tell us about MMT professor!

[@Blackbirdchills]

Leftism is great! So great to see so many lean past the Democratic lines into community and atheism. We have arrived.

[@anthonymorris5084]

Atheism has nothing to do with ideology.

[@bobcornwell403]

I often joke about economists warnings, rephrasing them from: "The markets aren't going to like this." To "This will make the market gods very angry." I think the capitalist religion is on the decline. It's getting to the point that even its high priests (the economists) are starting to turn on it. I think this started in late 2008, when the government had to write blank checks to the top capitalists to keep the thing going. I also see Marxism as a religion. Its ties to the Book of Revelations is blatantly obvious to me. First, it sternly warns of a comupence for the bad people, then it promises a utopian future for the faithful. The way I see it; there is nothing scientific about it (either capitalism or Marxism).

[@DerekFullerWhoIsGovt]

🦉

[@radhakrishna1845]

Capitalism is a religion.. It has even invented.. God's... Who... Love... Money...

[@patrickmccormack4318]

Professor Wolff, religion is a tool of capitalism. All religions are tools... if not for one system of economics, then, for another system. F(Religion) = God. Or is it F(God) = Religion. The Iron Heel by Jack London, published 1908

[@gregorylumpkin2128]

It's not formally recognised as a religion, but a lot of people sure do worship their $$$ god.

[@georgeflowers3730]

And now they even created a new Gospel: Prosperity Gospel. If you follow Jesus and tithe every Sunday, He will bless you with money!

[@TC-eo5eb]

Being a Marxist must be frustrating. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, Capitalism is the worst economic system there is, except for all the others.

[@jeremyprovence4942]

To quote Jesus " Love your Neighbor as you Love your self " One cannot do this if their focus is greed.

[@FOA89019]

@@jeremyprovence4942 kzbin.info/www/bejne/larWoYZ_ba90lZY

[@electricman69]

If dickey hates he can leave tomorrow

[@miramartin-parker3725]

Any belief system people give their lives to defend is spiritual in nature. There are organized spiritual institutions like the Roman Catholics and the Russian Orthodox Church, and there are informal networks, teachers (Wolff) and their followers (students at the New School, on the airways, via the internet) that spread their spiritual ideas in movements of thought. These spiritual movements are not visible, we don't see them, but their members know and support one another informally. They feel an affinity for one another. This is not a conspiracy theory, it's the truth. Ralph Ellison's book the Invisible Man illustrates the dynamics of spiritual movements and their social influence. This influence is invisible. We the people hand our letters of recommendation to the various masters in positions of authority, hoping to get in the door, hired, taken care of. What we don't see/recognize is what the letters (our visual symbolic images, our abstract projections-messaging) say about us (good or bad, hire or don't hire). All this symbolic-level communication takes place in the open, but ironically it's not visible. Like gaslighting. The left (Andre Breton) and right (Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor) spiritual movements are fighting right now. Albert Camus saw through the game...We should him...

[@jgalt308]

Marxism is opposed to any spiritual movement except its own. ( and there is no salvation at the end ) Your literary references are beyond these people...and yet you persist. " Albert Camus saw through the game...We should him..." None of these people have a clue what you just did.

[@miramartin-parker3725]

@@jgalt308 I persist in questing the TEACHER. The class ("these people") can come to their own conclusions. I have faith in their judgment. It's our teachers--those who claim to know things--that I'm questioning. My classmates are cool. I love them. I love the teacher, too. But he must make sense. That's his job. P.S. I meant to recommend reading Camus, looks like I forgot word.

[@miramartin-parker3725]

Remember in the Cave Analogy it was the diffuse light coming from the exit behind the slaves leading to the real world above and the real sun that was the most important source of energetic power and influence in the cave--all activity in the cave was ultimately dependent on it. It just didn't SEEM that way from the perspective of the slaves... Seeming a certain way doesn't make something true. Truth just IS....

[@jgalt308]

@@miramartin-parker3725 Well then you are wasting your time here because all "questing" and "questions" are ignored here...nor would your questing make any sense to him. So, join pay-tree-on and then you can play the question lottery like everyone else. (details can be found by clicking the show more button. )

[@miramartin-parker3725]

@@jgalt308 I prefer pecking at the seeds and crumbs the big folks drop. I'm just a little bird. Nothing special...Ignore me...

[@aworlds1]

Capitalism is the God of Mammon.

[@ulrich2819]

Look up Paul Elam here on KZbin on what gynocentrism is, thank yourself later for doing this!

[@Realg401]

These landlords and banks are sinning big time!

[@mstrailertrash058]

Is this "confession by projection" or what?

[@mstrailertrash058]

@Mister_Whiskers we already know lefties are warped psychos, you don't have to prove it further.

[@siewkonsum7291]

All religions are concepts but not all concepts are religions. If no one has created religions no one is needed to deny it! The Bible and Quran are night time children story books! 😂

[@anthonymorris5084]

The Quran is a night time nightmare story book.

[@jackroth5110]

Spoken as a person who just can't hack it in a competitive environment. For his sake I hope he has a secure job in academia because no other market would have him.

[@paulsenjohannes]

Capitalism is NOT a religion unless you want to worship Baal.

[@narancauk]

Secular religion is NOT a religion ! You may call it mass delusion but not a religion.

[@narancauk]

You go to church to calm down. Marx said ''opium for the masses''. Well for the elite too. Hahahahahahaha

[@brentt6714]

The answer here was more long-winded than necessary. Allow me to provide a more brief explanation: Religion is based on faith, not facts, and oftentimes faith that supercedes scientific fact. Belief that capitalism is the best, fairest, most efficient, most meritocratic system does not match up with the factual, material results we see in the real world. If capitalism were able or meant to bring widespread prosperity to the world it would have done so already. Yet capitalists keep waiting for this capitalist heaven on earth to manifest itself and make each "deserving" person a billionaire who can lord their wealth over the poor. Religion denies reality, capitalism is a religion, and living in delusion is mental illness.

[@wisedisciplebg]

I think it's more of an ideology. We are a free society which allows people to worship anything they choose and be part of any religion they like. Capitalism equals freedom to choose what's best for them.

[@anthonymorris5084]

What a ridiculous title for a video on capitalism.

[@TC-eo5eb]

When socialists look at socialist states, they see a field of manure with a rose growing in the middle of it and they say, "Look how beautiful that rose is." When they look at a capitalist state, they see a field of roses with a pile of manure in the middle of it and they say, "Look how ugly that manure is."

[@marcusmoonstein242]

Lovely way to put it. It's a constant source of amazement to me how socialists distort reality to fit their ideology. Is capitalism perfect? No. Is it better than socialism? Yes.

[@hughparker9384]

@@marcusmoonstein242 could it be that both distort reality to fit their ideology? One is just more suitable to the parasite and the other to the host.

[@hipoint40cal39]

Capitalism is "mostly roses" with a little ugliness? We have had only one golden age of capitalism that lasted 25 years out of a few hundred.

[@Blackbirdchills]

I enjoy the not-seeeeeeeee Propaganda. 2023 coming in strong.

[@cesarcalderonvalles]

Thank you