This blog is purely from my observations and based purely on anecdotal evidence
“F**K Capitalism” starred at me from the back of a fellow patron‘s laptop. We both were regulars at our locally-owned coffee shop. I had seen her here often, and she would order her latte with oat milk and what I knew to be fair trade coffee beans and do homework on her mac laptop. I couldn’t help but notice her contradiction. She hated capitalism but was here reaping the benefits. She would only buy coffee at this small coffee shop if capitalism existed because entrepreneurs depend on capitalism. Her oat milk would only exist if capitalism had been around to create the market. So, of course, her mac book would only be around if capitalism exists.
At this time, I started to observe Gen Z’s hatred of capitalism but its dependency on its benefits. I had many discussions with friends and acquaintances who believed capitalism was the enemy but then, in the same conversation, told me about how they had bought their necklace, mug, shoes, or even clothes from a small business or an” ethical store.” I would scroll through TikTok or Instagram and see small businesses advertising their products. Still, the following post on their profile would accuse capitalism of having more sales because Amazon was stealing all of their customers.
With this, I want to pose the question. Why? Why is Gen Z convinced that capitalism is the problem when it is the only reason they can live the life they have requested, with their ethical clothing, fair-trade coffee, and apple products. Is it the media, peers, governmental/political influence, or environmental factors?
To better understand my stance, I shop locally and at small businesses when I can. I do my best to buy fair trade, or the new term ”Ethically.” I also own Apple products. All of the things I have accused Gen Z of doing, but I understand that without capitalism, I wouldn’t have the chance to buy from small businesses or support the companies in which I believe. Why have most of Gen Z lost that ability, or did they ever have it?
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for your thoughtful post! If I understand correctly, you're asking why Gen Z dislikes capitalism so much? It is, as you note, pretty ironic that these same individuals indulge in many of the products that wouldn't exist without the capitalist system. Perhaps the answer to your question can be found in how one defines capitalism. For my post, I looked at how Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders defines democratic socialism. As part of his definition, he points to a quote by MLK Jr.: "This country has socialism for the rich and rugged individualism for the poor" (Wall Street Journal, 2015). According to Sanders, "Socialism for the rich" involves the government handing out favors to big business interests and providing rents in the form of subsidies and other such measures. Sanders says this is capitalism. Of course, what Sanders describes isn't capitalism, but cronyism or corporatism. Your post made me wonder if what is going on with Gen Z can be attributed to throwing around words (like capitalism and socialism) without knowing what they really mean. Again, thanks for your post!
Sean
References
Wall Street Journal. (2015, November 20). Bernie Sanders Defines Democratic Socialism [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQs_lmpQh6Q