O QUE É O CAPITALISMO? | Cortes do História Pública

Summary

The video explores the emergence of capitalism, tracing its roots from the feudal system in Europe to the rise of the bourgeois class. It discusses how the increase in productivity, division of labor, and land enclosure led to the creation of capitalism. The narrative emphasizes how the bourgeoisie gained power through revolutions and state control, driving industrialization and market competition. The script also contrasts cooperative versus competitive models of society, pointing to the Soviet Union and China as examples where cooperative efforts led to significant productivity gains. The speaker argues for a shift from competitive systems to more collaborative models for greater societal progress.

Takeaways

• 😀 Capitalism is a mode of production characterized by the relationship between private property owners (bourgeoisie) and laborers (proletariat) who sell their labor to survive.
• 😀 Capitalism emerged after feudalism, driven by the rise of a new merchant class (the bourgeoisie) and technological advancements in productive forces.
• 😀 The division of labor and increased productivity in Europe facilitated the rise of the bourgeoisie and the transition from feudalism to capitalism.
• 😀 The development of machinery and the rise of factories were a consequence of the division of labor, not the other way around.
• 😀 Land enclosure in England displaced peasants, pushing them into cities to work in factories, a key event that enabled the rise of capitalism.
• 😀 Capitalism was not spontaneous; it developed through a complex historical process that included the rise of industry, state power, and the bourgeoisie.
• 😀 Mercantile capitalism, emerging in the 18th century, put pressure on other countries to industrialize, as they could not compete with English factory production.
• 😀 The bourgeois class gained political power through revolutions, leading to the reduction of aristocratic privileges and the spread of capitalist systems across Europe.
• 😀 The rise of capitalism in England, particularly the exploitation of labor, was a result of historical factors like land enclosure and the development of new production methods.
• 😀 Human nature is competitive, but history shows that cooperation within societies, such as in the Soviet Union and China, has led to significant advances in productivity and technology.

Q & A

What is capitalism, and how was it created?

Capitalism is a mode of production that arises when the forces of production and relations of production interact. It was created after feudalism as a result of technological advancements, the rise of the bourgeois class, and the need for new production methods. The growth of commerce and the accumulation of wealth by merchants played a key role in the formation of capitalism.

Why is capitalism not considered a natural system?

Capitalism is not seen as natural because human history is not predictable, and human beings are historical, not instinctual creatures. The emergence of capitalism was not inevitable, but rather the result of specific historical circumstances and developments in society.

What are the 'productive forces' and 'relations of production' in capitalism?

In capitalism, productive forces refer to tools, machinery, and the division of labor that allow for the creation of goods and services. Relations of production are the relationships between classes in society, particularly the relationship between the owners of the means of production (the bourgeoisie) and the workers who sell their labor (the proletariat).

How did the rise of the bourgeoisie contribute to the creation of capitalism?

The bourgeoisie, a new merchant class, began to accumulate wealth through trade and commerce. As they gained economic power, they also sought political influence, leading to revolutions in places like England. Their rise coincided with the development of new production methods, ultimately replacing feudal relations with capitalist ones.

What role did technological advancements, like the steam engine, play in the rise of capitalism?

Technological advancements such as the steam engine were crucial in increasing productivity. However, these developments did not precede the division of labor but were instead driven by it. As labor became more specialized, machinery was introduced to assist in production, ultimately leading to the rise of factories and mass production.

What is 'land enclosure,' and how did it contribute to the development of capitalism in England?

Land enclosure was the process by which common lands were privatized and turned into private property. In England, this process displaced peasants from their land, forcing them to move to cities where they became the surplus labor force required by capitalist factories.

Why did capitalism only become possible after land enclosure in England?

Capitalism became possible after land enclosure because it created a pool of idle laborers who had no choice but to sell their labor in cities to survive. Without this surplus labor, the factory system, which required workers to work long hours in dangerous conditions, would not have had a labor force.

How did mercantile capitalism differ from other forms of capitalism?

Mercantile capitalism focused on producing goods for export. This form of capitalism outcompeted small artisans by producing goods more efficiently in factories. The rise of mercantile capitalism pressured other countries to industrialize in order to remain competitive.

What are the key differences between competitive capitalist societies and cooperative planned economies?

Competitive capitalist societies rely on market forces, private property, and individual competition to drive productivity. In contrast, cooperative planned economies, such as those in the Soviet Union and China, centralize economic planning and emphasize collective effort, which can result in rapid industrialization and higher productivity.

How does Marxist theory view human history and the development of capitalism?

Marxist theory views human history as the progression of modes of production to meet the material needs of society. According to Marx, capitalism arose when the forces of production (like technology and labor) and the relations of production (class relationships) evolved, particularly as the bourgeoisie emerged from feudalism and took control of economic and political power.