The Point of Capitalism

James picks up on this point:

"At current growth rates, global mobile penetration is expected to reach 50 percent by early 2008," according to ITU's January newsletter.

This would amount to more than 3.3 billion subscriptions worldwide.

As James says, this is rather remarkable considering that 20 years ago they were the preserve of the elite.

But not perhaps quite as remarkable as all that, for it's simply an illustration of what this liberal capitalism shtick does so well. It takes things which were formerly the preserve of the rich, available only to wealthy, and makes them available to us all. From something mere decades ago available only to the very wealthiest to something now used to check grain prices in the very poorest country in the world.

I wish I could remember who expressed it this way but apologies, I can't.

Capitalism has had no effect on the affordability of silk stockings for Monarchs from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II. Both and all inbetween could have all the pairs they could ever wear. However, a shopgirl in the 1580s would never own a pair while one in London today can indeed afford silk stockings if she so wishes.

Perhaps trivial to express it in terms of something that is really only interesting when in the process of being taken off but extend that to food that doesn't kill the eater, a sufficiency of food even, to health care that actually cures, to transport, to well, whatever else you want to mention in this cornucopianly supplied world we inhabit.

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