Does capitalism have any place in Islam?
Well I'm guessing it does, since most Muslims live in capitalists countries and I remember the trade businesses etc mentioned in the Prophet 
biography. But it just feels wrong that so much power and wealth is held at the top. Oh and all the promotion of materialism. :S
I'm thinking very Marxist-like today. Evil capitalism. (Though communism definitely isn't the answer)
While the excesses of modern capitalism would not fit in, the basic idea of earning a wage, working for a living etc is encouraged in Islam.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
How would they be stopped or 'not encouraged'?
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Well by first and foremost education and understanding, regulation. Employees becoming shareholders and more accountability. That's the simple answer!
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
Can I have a more in depth answer?
How would they be regulated?
Employees becoming shareholders, what does that mean?
I mean, are you saying it's good cuz the employees get something (more) for all the hard work they put in, instead of randoms getting all the money? Or something else?
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
This makes me wary.
The owners take the risk, they get the reward.
Seems like too communist an idea and I am aware of no Islamic precedent for such a thing.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
But what if the employees don't want you to take stupid risks? SHould employees bear the brunt of these mistakes when they weren't asked?
Power, being a shareholder would mean (amongst other things) that employees take a very active part in running the company as well as doing the ground work.
I doubt that it is a communist idea, I think communists wouldn't like private companies running without state direction anyway.
Coming to the Islamic precedent, surely that in itself doesn't stop the idead from being good? Also didn't the Prophet (pbuh) have Shura councils?
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
Shura councils are different from shares in a business.
In a business the owners take the risks and the employees get wages.
It's how it should be.
Better/fairer wages is good, but turning it into some sort of social enterprise is IMO not always a good idea.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
If the risk is unreasonable then why should employees, who may disagree with it, get the stick? If the risk is stupid and leads to redundancies then fewer employeess will get wages.
What's wrong with a social enterprise? Isn't John Lewis, one of the most successful businesses in the UK, run like that?
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
The difference is between voluntary social enterprise and enforced social enterprise.
The general employees do not take part in the day to day business decisions.
if I set up a business as something other than a social enterprise, I wouldnt want others to suddenly be entitled to a share of my hard work without my say so.
Instead of looking big, look small: should a worker employed to work in a corner shop over time be given a share of that shop beyond his due wages?
The employees are already being paid for their work.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
co ops were run successfully in England. all wealth should be shared equally so that everyone's necessities are met. and i am a communist socialist in the strictest sense not in the old ussr way. Marx has always been a hero of mine and if he had incorporated Islam in his work that would be a winning economy. all workers should be valued who is to say risk takers should be paid more, its just a job they like doing
But it's not fair if everyone has the same pay without doing the equal amount of money.
I agree with the new right view that too much benefits are bad and lead to a more dependent society.
Communism is hard to enforce as well. And religion is seen as being evil :/
Why not just want the khilafa? Then there'd be a workable welfare state inshallah, to help those who are less fortunate but still encourage people to work and be the best they can be.
first time! ive played it so much i dont want to ever play it again EVER URGH YURGH I REALLY dont like it.
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
but im glad you had fun. being happy is always good.
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
That doesn't mean that employees all get paid the exact same amount of cash as the CEO.
It means that employees can nominate/elect people to sit on the Board and when important decisions are made they can be taken into account.
I think being entitled to a share in the business doesn't have to be owned by one lazy individual, the share can be owned collectively by the workers.
That's not communism, that's called being democratic and fair!
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
@laila
are you aware of what Marx thought/wrote of religion?
if so, any thoughts?
cos it seems that guy hated religion
Don't just do something! Stand there.
Yeah he did actually, he hated the Church for continuing capitalism. But his best bud, Engels believed that religion could bring about change.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
Marxists view of religion:
-feature of a class divided society
-distorts reality in ways that serve interests of ruling class
-legitimates power and privilege of dominant class
-ideological weapon->ruling class legitamate suffering by saying it's from God ->poor think suffering is virtuous->will be favoured in after life -> distorted view of life, stops change
-opium for the poor - dulls the pain
Basically relion masks exploitation and so is a tool of oppression.