Capitalism, Science and Nature One

Capitalism, Science and Nature One can understand capitalism as a system that supports environmentalist principles, since it influences people in emitting as little toxic substances as possible. However, capitalism can also promote a polluting behavior, as an individual is likely to have no regard in the damage he or she does to the environment as long as they make large profits out of the enterprise. It is difficult to determine whether capitalism has a positive effect on the environment or if it negatively affects it.

While numerous supporters of capitalism sustain themselves through protecting the environment, others exploit nature regardless of the aftermath that their actions have. In its struggle to assist the environment, the general public has focused on controlling activities that have a destructive effect. However, in order for nature to be able to recover or even to remain at the present level of degradation, pollution needs to be stopped. The masses have a limited decisional power while influential powers are basically in charge of the environmental health.

Imperialism and capitalism are mainly responsible for the process of globalization and for supporting technological progress. To a certain extent, this was beneficial for the world as a whole, considering that concepts such as peace and freedom are presently available for a greater number of individuals. Environmentalism partly emerged as a response to capitalist theories, in an attempt to lessen the degree to which capitalists exploited environmental resources with the purpose of accumulating finances.

Environmentalists used capitalist principles and managed to get capitalists to pay for the damage that they did to the environment. Capitalists can no longer exploit their property regardless of the consequences, since "the environmental movement on the nation-state level has provoked a clash between the expansionary logic of property rights and personal rights by promulgating legislation that has required the protection of public air, water and land, and non-human life" (Seis 123).

Because of the influence capitalism has, environmental laws are devised so as for them not to have a great effect on capital growth. Capitalism essentially contradicts ecologic principles, considering that environmental laws are needed in order for the damage it does on nature to be reduced (Seis 123). Environmental programs in most cases fail because they cannot function in the contemporary capitalist system. Capital accumulation needs to be uninhibited in order for capitalism to thrive and this cannot happen if it is controlled by laws regarding the well-being of nature.

What people have to understand is that it is impossible to reach a compromise through supporting capitalism and environmentalism concomitantly. Capitalism presently dominates the political landscape and this makes it almost impossible for nature's health to be preserved (Seis 123). Through analyzing a series of trade agreements, it appears that the international public is more concerned about the well-being of transnational corporations than about that of the environment, thus putting the interests of capitalism before those of people.

In spite of its detriments, capitalism in nonetheless a profitable system when concerning short-term benefits. It makes it possible for society to advance rapidly and effectively. However, this is done at the expense of the environment, which has its health ignored by the general public (Seis 123). People have to understand that basic human rights should be considered more important than property and profits.

Although globalization improved the lives of many, the effects of economic globalization need to be studied carefully, as it most probably causes irreparable damage to the natural world. It is obvious that the goals of capitalism will never be comparable with those of environmentalism, with the former being mainly interested in profits and exploiting natural resources while the latter is against such behaviors. Whereas one often relates to anti-environmentalism when hearing the world capitalism, it appears that capitalism is not always connected to behavior that damaged nature.

The building of the Yellowstone National Park was supported.