FIX CAPITALISM.
FIX THE AMERICAN DREAM.™

Andrew is a factory worker, farmer and father. He asks, "Who is this country really for? Because if it's not for parents, factory workers, farmers or families, then maybe the flag doesn't wave for all of us after all." The message that Andrew has felt in his bones for years is: You're on your own. This is not the American Dream but it is more commonly the American Reality. We can fix this with a better capitalism.

What went wrong with Big Tech? Why did the darlings of 21st-century American capitalism go sour? There are several buckets of elements that contributed to our current state. This post explains the when and why of the past that got us to the current failures. This post also provides the why and how of a better path forward.

In a business context we might refer to the values and guardrails of the Bible’s guidance as ‘best practices.’ But, to be consistent with Max Weber and others, we’ll refer to this guidance as the Biblical “spirit” of our economy. Because our economy is based on the construct we call capitalism, we’re on solid theological and behavioral economic grounds by speaking here about the spirit of capitalism as found in the Bible. You'll be amazed at what it says!

Self-interest that includes mutuality, honesty, evils that cannot be tolerated, and trader mentality are all ethics that form and inform the spirit of capitalism according to the Mother of Capitalism. Take a moment to think about the current spirit of American capitalism. How would you describe that spirit? Do you like it or would you like to see a different spirit? Check out this post and this series for that different spirit.

Would you like a fast introduction into how Adam Smith thought capitalism should function? In other words, the "spirit' of capitalism. Here it is! Probably not what you expect but you'll probably like it.

This post is the second in a five-part series on the real purpose and spirit of capitalism. You can begin the series here . Last week, we...

What is the purpose of capitalism? Few of us were formally taught about capitalism's true purpose. As a result, there is a good bit of contradiction and uncertainty surrounding the true purpose of this economic model. To clear up the confusion, this post explains ‘virtuous capitalism.’

Do tariffs help or hurt? This post makes quick sense of all the noise. Better yet, this post offers a smart alternative to tariffs. Instead of tariffs, what if America was “open and armed.” Yes, open and armed, but not in the way that you’re probably thinking of ‘armed.’ Rather, open and armed in a smart, capitalist way.

A 2021 poll showed 54% of Gen Z (ages 18 to 24) held negative views of capitalism. Even among Republicans positive views had dropped 15% to just 66%. In addition, while positive views of capitalism appear to be dropping, favorable views of socialism have moved upward somewhat. Does Gen Z have good reason for their increasingly negative views of American capitalism? Yes! Is socialism the best response to a capitalism in need of reform? No! A better form of capitalism is the

While we work toward a Better Capitalism for our beloved America, we wish you and yours a very happy Independence Day celebration!

Understanding history is important, especially if we want to understand how we arrived where we are. Politicians play a critical role in our history. Hero and villain, Margaret Thatcher like Ronald Reagan is a particularly important figure for understanding capitalism in both the UK and US. This post illustrates the impact of Thatcher's single-minded determination, her pride in her ability to raise herself up from her humble beginnings, her Methodist background, and her train

It seems clear that running a business in a Christian way is much more profitable than not. The authors' research shows a company applying economic engagement / Christian principles would be in the top quartile and substantially more profitable than peers. The properly understood Christian faith would suggest this, and the years of research confirms this. There is always more to learn, but what the research shows is that business is a powerful force for good when properly s

If you think capitalism sucks and the only remedy is to blow it up and replace it with something different, you’re definitely not alone. But are you right about that being the only remedy? In this essay, a summary of notes from a talk by Joe Garner, an ethic of mutuality is core to a reformed capitalism – a better capitalism. Join us in fixing capitalism. Start with giving this essay a read.

A contemplative business understands that the business can ultimately be a means of grace, maybe even a relief, to the people it encounters. A contemplative business knows its people and understands their needs, doing its best to meet those needs, even if it may seem mundane in the moment. The business, its community, and even capitalism as a whole will be better off if we can take the time to implement some contemplative practices in our businesses. This post shows us the

Mark Twain noted that ‘history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes’. Our economic situation today is not the same as it was in 1891, but neither is it a world apart. Is it possible that what Pope Leo XIII wrote in 1891 to the first Gilded Age has lessons for us in today's Gilded Age? It does and with insightful lessons for all of us.

Why are we senselessly willing to sacrifice our health so that the processed food industry can maximize their profits? Nearly 70% of us are overweight or obese, compared with 15% in the 1970s. One in ten of us are morbidly obese, a 90% increase since 1960, while childhood obesity is at 19% in 2020. Many if not most of our chronic diseases, as well as the declining US life expectancy, are related to unhealthy foods. This post shows us how we got trapped in the bad-diet cycle a

What hard economic questions might Pope XIV wrestle with and seek to address? Perhaps, audaciously, “How do we redeem and heal capitalism?!” Or "What might 'on Earth as it is in Heaven' look like economically? This open letter offers a three-step framework by which Pope XIV can teach and lead us in understanding capitalism can be redeemed and healed (re-engineered), for the benefit of all humanity.

Financial literacy is essential to your personal empowerment and economic stability, and essential for economic mutuality. This post explains why. As society continues to evolve in the face of economic challenges, the significance of financial literacy will only grow. Whether we advocate for education in our schools, assist others in their financial journey, or further educate ourselves, our contribution to making a more financially literate nation will help to make better c

Leadership, no matter the position but especially the C-suite or elected office is about trust, responsibility and moral clarity. Want to know what separates a tough-but-effective leader from a toxic one? By providing a solid checklist of traits possessed by toxic leaders, this post makes it easy to put a mirror to a boss or politician’s behavior for an objective view of whether that boss or politician is toxic. Want to fix capitalism? Begin by rejecting toxic bosses and p

We at Better Capitalism always support rewarding innovation and merit, while recognizing the plain truth that no person creates great wealth without help from others - its just not physically possible. This begs the increasingly asked question, "Is the wealth fairly distributed among those who generated it?" This post is another response to that question.