Capitalism is Incompatible with Human Nature and Planetary Sustainability

Capitalism, as an economic system, has dominated much of the world for the past several centuries. It is a system designed to foster competition, growth, and individual wealth accumulation—values that are often cited as being in line with human ambition and progress. But a deeper look into both human history and our current environmental crisis reveals that capitalism may, in fact, be incompatible with human nature and the long-term sustainability of our planet.

By examining the lifestyles and values of hunter-gatherer societies, we gain insights into a way of living that prioritized communal well-being, resource stewardship, and quality of life over profit and expansion. In contrast, capitalism’s relentless drive for profit maximization and natural resource exploitation has not only led to vast inequality but also pushed our planet to the brink of environmental collapse.

Hunter-Gatherer Societies: A Model of Sustainable Living

For roughly 95% of human history, our ancestors lived as hunter-gatherers. They thrived in small, egalitarian communities that shared resources, practiced environmental stewardship, and prioritized the collective good. Anthropologists studying hunter-gatherer societies, such as the !Kung San of the Kalahari Desert and the Hadza of Tanzania, have found that these societies typically worked only 20 to 30 hours per week to meet their basic needs, compared to the 40- to 60-hour workweeks common in capitalist societies. Research published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology indicates that these societies enjoyed considerable leisure time and maintained sustainable practices that allowed them to coexist harmoniously with their environments.

Hunter-gatherer societies also had relatively low levels of inequality. Food, shelter, and other resources were shared among all members, fostering a sense of community and equality. In his book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, historian Yuval Noah Harari explains that hunter-gatherer societies were generally free of the hierarchies and class divisions that emerged later in agricultural and industrial societies. This equality extended to gender roles as well, with men and women contributing in different but equally valued ways. These societies were structured to prioritize the well-being of the entire group rather than the individual accumulation of wealth, a stark contrast to the hyper-competitive, individualistic ethos that capitalism promotes.

Capitalism’s Incompatibility with Human Nature

Capitalism thrives on competition, inequality, and perpetual growth—qualities that run counter to the cooperative and sustainable tendencies observed in hunter-gatherer societies. Studies in psychology and anthropology suggest that humans have a fundamental need for social connection, mutual support, and equitable resource distribution. Capitalism, however, promotes a “survival of the fittest” mindset that pits individuals against each other and erodes communal bonds.

This focus on competition and profit has fueled a culture of chronic stress, isolation, and mental health issues. According to a 2019 study by the American Psychological Association, nearly 75% of Americans reported feeling stressed about finances, and over half felt that work obligations were a significant source of stress. This is compounded by economic inequality: the top 1% of Americans now own more wealth than the bottom 90% combined, according to data from the Federal Reserve. Inequality at this scale not only breeds social discontent but also increases rates of mental health issues, as noted in The Spirit Level, a book by epidemiologists Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. Their research found that societies with high levels of inequality experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and physical illness—issues that are largely absent in egalitarian, cooperative societies.

Capitalism’s Environmental Toll: A Finite Planet Facing Infinite Growth

While capitalism might have fueled technological advances, it has also led to unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. Capitalism’s inherent need for growth demands the continual expansion of production and consumption, regardless of the ecological consequences. On a planet with finite resources, this relentless quest for growth is unsustainable. The Global Footprint Network estimates that humanity currently uses the equivalent of 1.7 Earths to sustain our consumption habits, driven largely by capitalist economies. This “overshoot” is evident in climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution—all symptoms of a system that prioritizes profit over environmental stewardship.

One of the most concerning examples of capitalism’s disregard for planetary health is the fossil fuel industry. Despite overwhelming evidence of climate change, capitalist structures continue to incentivize fossil fuel extraction and consumption. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high of 36.3 billion metric tons in 2021, a direct result of industrial and economic activity under capitalist systems. The primary drivers of this pollution are fossil fuel companies that operate within the capitalist framework, prioritizing shareholder profits over planetary well-being. While some companies have adopted “green” initiatives, these efforts are often token gestures rather than substantive commitments to sustainability.

The Expansionist Agenda: Resource Extraction and Exploitation

Capitalism’s expansionist agenda leads to environmental degradation and resource exhaustion. Rainforests, often called “the lungs of the Earth,” are being destroyed at an alarming rate to make way for cattle ranching, soy farming, and palm oil plantations—industries largely driven by capitalist markets. According to the World Resources Institute, in 2020 alone, the world lost 4.2 million hectares of rainforest, an area roughly the size of the Netherlands, due to such activities. This deforestation accelerates climate change, disrupts ecosystems, and displaces indigenous communities.

Capitalism’s insatiable need for raw materials extends to mining operations, which devastate landscapes, contaminate water supplies, and cause long-term environmental harm. A 2021 report from Earthworks found that mining for metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel—all essential for modern technology and electric vehicles—produces significant greenhouse gas emissions and destroys ecosystems. In capitalist systems, profit margins dictate the pace and extent of extraction, leaving little room for sustainable practices.

A New Path Forward: Prioritizing Human and Planetary Well-being

To address the incompatibility of capitalism with human nature and the planet’s sustainability, we need to envision an economic system that aligns with our intrinsic values of cooperation, fairness, and ecological balance. Alternative models, such as eco-socialism, democratic socialism, and degrowth, propose systems that prioritize human well-being and environmental health over profit.

These models emphasize the need for community ownership, sustainable resource management, and equitable distribution of wealth. A degrowth approach, for example, advocates for scaling down consumption and production to levels that the Earth can sustain. It encourages a shift from material accumulation to the pursuit of well-being, leisure, and community, echoing the values observed in hunter-gatherer societies. In practice, this could involve measures such as implementing universal healthcare, enforcing strict environmental regulations, and transitioning to renewable energy sources, while ensuring that economic power is decentralized.

Conclusion: Capitalism’s Incompatibility with Humanity and the Planet

Capitalism, with its emphasis on perpetual growth, competition, and profit, stands at odds with the cooperative, community-oriented nature that has characterized much of human history. The destructive impact of capitalism on our environment, from climate change to deforestation, further highlights its unsustainability on a finite planet. Hunter-gatherer societies offer a glimpse into a way of life that prioritized balance, equality, and sustainability—qualities that capitalism cannot inherently support.

As we face unprecedented environmental and social challenges, it’s time to question whether capitalism can continue to serve humanity’s best interests. Instead, we must explore and implement economic systems that reflect our shared values and prioritize the well-being of all people and the planet. In doing so, we can create a world where progress isn’t defined by profit but by the flourishing of humanity and the Earth.