A third contrast is liberal capitalism. Like secular humanism, these ways of explaining the world compete for the hearts, the loyalties, and the imaginations of millions of people throughout the world. Liberal capitalism emerged around 1750 with the coming of the Industrial Revolution. It attempts to explain all human affairs in terms of economics, and is very material minded. Raising the material standard of living for everyone is admirable, but if this becomes the sole purpose in life, then it results in crass materialism, and consumerism.
Liberal capitalism stresses the absolute autonomy of the individual capitalist, or owner of capital.
The capitalist could do anything he wanted with his wealth and property. It suffers the same defects of secular humanism. Over the years, the worst aspects of capitalism have been removed. As a way of organizing the economy order, it has much to its credit. The eastern European countries are all turning to open-market varieties of democratic capitalism.