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The fact that some countries (mostly the political west) developed a wealthy middle class post WW2 was not due to capitalism but due to social democracy.

Capitalism by itself does not produce egalitarian wealthy society. The system divides the populace into "capital owners" and "workers" who are in direct conflict.

There are plenty of capitalistic countries where most people are poor. In fact many of the as said Western countries has also high levels of poverty while running capitalism in the 1800 etc until post WW2 social democratic movements.

Once you dismantle those social democratic constructs such as labor unions and start shifting more power to the capital holders you'll see how the society splits apart to rich and poor. The rich use their wealth and power to rig the system to benefit themselves even more and become richer at the expense of everyone else. Ultimately they will remove democracy because functional real democracy is a threat to their wealth.

by WalterBright1 hours ago|

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The middle class emerged in colonial America. During the 1800s, scores of millions of people came to the US with little more than a suitcase. They went into the middle class, and some into the wealthy. We know this because:

1. Average height increased throughout the 1800s

2. Life expectancy increased throughout the 1800s

3. Plenty of photos and paintings of towns that consist of middle class housing

> The system divides the populace into "capital owners" and "workers" who are in direct conflict.

That's what Marx claimed. I've had many jobs. In none of them was I ever in conflict. It was a negotiated relationship, where I provided labor and expertise in exchange for money. I've also been a boss, and if you ever have been you'd know you had no power over your employees. They only work for you because they want to. When they stopped wanting to, they simply disappear, and there's not a thing I could do about it.

In the US, every worker has the power to walk away and start their own business. The wealthy in America did not come from wealthy immigrants, they came from poor immigrants.

by imtringued9 hours ago|

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People living with room mates working 80 hours a week have a higher standard of living than kings?

Do you even listen to yourself?

by WalterBright1 hours ago|

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Let's enumerate a few things:

1. Today's poor are as tall as rich people, meaning they get plenty of nutritious food. They're taller than medieval kings.

2. Fresh vegetables and fruit from all over the world 365 days a year.

3. Flush toilets.