The media, politicians and pro-capitalist thinkers so often say that people are naturally selfish that it appears to be common sense. But, according to this view, only the families of the passengers should be furious at the rail companies. Only ambulance workers and firefighters, who rescue people for a living, should have helped on the day of the disaster. The way people behave depends on the circumstances they find themselves in. There are powerful forces in capitalist society which do push people to behave in an individualistic or selfish fashion.
Competition lies at the heart of capitalism.
Firms compete to gain a share of the market and to drive rivals out of business. The dog eat dog view of the world is concentrated at the top of society. Many people have been asking over the last two weeks how the rail bosses who sacrificed lives for profit can get to sleep at night. The fortunes of individual bosses depend on them doing down others and, crucially, subordinating the vast majority of people to the pursuit of profit by a tiny few. Competition, and the selfish view of the world that goes with it, is a way of life for our rulers.