The list goes on. These are the years that most academics came of age. It well may be the case that, over the past 400 years of industrial capitalism, and over a more global view, the Embourgeoisement Thesis has important truth value. Compared to feudal, slave, and tribal economies of the 16th centuries, capitalism looks good. Since we have not yet reached the end of history, the question remains for your generation to consider.
Capitalism tends to despoil the land and pollute the atmosphere.
In the effort to increase demand, production, and profits, cap- italist firms mine the ores, pump the petroleum and saturate the land with pesticides, fungicides, and growth hormones. In order to reduce costs, 'waste' materials are dumped into the rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. Noxious fumes and carbon di-oxides are let loose in the very air we breathe. Solid wastes are left for others to clear and clean. Pollution despoils the very environment upon which all life depends.