--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Capitalism has not proven to be a…" description: "\"Capitalism has not proven to be a transitional form, a gateway to a higher human future.\" — Allen W. Wood" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/allen-w-wood-2748_capitalism_capitalism-has-not-proven-to-be-a-transi_2437075.jpg" --- # Capitalism has not proven to be a transitional form, a… ![“Capitalism has not proven to be a transitional form, a gateway to a higher human future.” quote by Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/allen-w-wood-2748_capitalism_capitalism-has-not-proven-to-be-a-transi_2437075.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/allen-w-wood-2748_capitalism_capitalism-has-not-proven-to-be-a-transi_2437075.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53f/allen-w-wood-2748_capitalism_capitalism-has-not-proven-to-be-a-transi_2437075.jpg) > “Capitalism has not proven to be a transitional form, a gateway to a higher human future.” [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Capitalism is not merely a stepping stone to a better future; it may be an end in itself. **In simple terms:** Capitalism may not lead to a higher future. Key Takeaway Critically assess economic systems. Themes economics progress future critique systems Mood analytical critical Type economic philosophical When to use this quote - policy analysis - business strategy - social activism - academic debate Key Concepts marxism liberalism systems theory Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives truly improve human welfare? - Is a higher future possible without systemic change? A Different Perspective Assuming capitalism is transitional ignores its entrenched power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Capitalism Proven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism-proven-353456/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Gateways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gateways/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Higher Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-human-353458/) [Human Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-future-353457/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Proven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proven/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Capitalism has proven to be a far more terrible system than Marx could ever bring himself to imagine. Those who are so deluded as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/capitalism-has-proven-to-be-a-far-more-terrible-system-than-marx/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [What I most fear now is that within a century or so there may not be any human future at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/what-i-most-fear-now-is-that-within-a-century-or-so-there-may-not-be/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Some argue shareholder capitalism has proven more efficient. It has moved economic resources to where they're most productive, and thereby enabled the economy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reich/some-argue-shareholder-capitalism-has-proven-more-efficient-it-has/) [Robert Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reich/) > [Capitalism has proven to be the only system that works, but the problem with capitalism is that extreme wealth ends up in the hands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/capitalism-has-proven-to-be-the-only-system-that-works-but-the/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [We can have democracy and a prosperous, just, and sustainable human future. Or we can have corporate rule. We cannot have both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-korten/we-can-have-democracy-and-a-prosperous-just-and-sustainable-human/) [David Korten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-korten/) > [We are either going to have a future where women lead the way to make peace with the Earth or we are not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vandana-shiva/we-are-either-going-to-have-a-future-where-women-lead-the-way-to-make/) [Vandana Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vandana-shiva/) > [But we can do nothing for the human future that we will not do for the human present. For the amelioration of the future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/but-we-can-do-nothing-for-the-human-future-that-we-will-not-do-for/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“let’s also promote the humanities, that which makes us human, and not use science to mess around with the wellspring of this, the absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-o-wilson/let-s-also-promote-the-humanities-that-which-makes-us-human-and-not/) [Edward O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-o-wilson/) > [Think about our dilemma on this planet. If the expansion of consciousness does not loom large in the human future, what kind of future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/think-about-our-dilemma-on-this-planet-if-the-expansion-of/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [But, it has something to do with having belief in a human future and what that human future is. What is the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brit-marling/but-it-has-something-to-do-with-having-belief-in-a-human-future-and/) [Brit Marling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brit-marling/) > [I think there is a general unrest or curiosity about what a human future is going to be like, and whether the way we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brit-marling/i-think-there-is-a-general-unrest-or-curiosity-about-what-a-human/) [Brit Marling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brit-marling/) > [“We have a system that works fabulously well for products. But the one we have for people stinks. This is the lesson we’ve got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/we-have-a-system-that-works-fabulously-well-for-products-but-the-one/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [I'm often quite gloomy about the prospects for the human future. But, although I have no competence to intervene directly in a political movement,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kitcher/i-m-often-quite-gloomy-about-the-prospects-for-the-human-future-but/) [Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/) > [If there is to be a human future, we must bring ourselves into balanced relationship with one another and the Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-korten/if-there-is-to-be-a-human-future-we-must-bring-ourselves-into/) [David Korten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-korten/) > [Now, you might say – “But why should we pay people for doing what they’re supposed to do?” It’s a fair question – but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/now-you-might-say-but-why-should-we-pay-people-for-doing-what-they-re/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) ## More by Allen W. Wood > [For the utilitarian, there is a fact of the matter about the good (the general happiness, or whatever conception of the good the utilitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/for-the-utilitarian-there-is-a-fact-of-the-matter-about-the-good-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [No theory about our bodies as mere objects of observation and calculation (as distinct from partners in communicative interaction, assumed to be free) can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/no-theory-about-our-bodies-as-mere-objects-of-observation-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kantian ethical theory distinguishes three levels: First, that of a fundamental principle (the categorical imperative, formulated in three main ways in Kant's Groundwork); second,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kantian-ethical-theory-distinguishes-three-levels-first-that-of-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Some empirical feelings, such as sympathy, are indispensable parts of certain moral virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/some-empirical-feelings-such-as-sympathy-are-indispensable-parts-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [We commit not only theoretical error but also moral wrong in objectifying ourselves or other rational beings, ignoring their capacities for free action and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/we-commit-not-only-theoretical-error-but-also-moral-wrong-in/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kant certainly was sympathetic with the metaphysical tradition of rational theology that he criticized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kant-certainly-was-sympathetic-with-the-metaphysical-tradition-of/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [That Hegel's theory is derivative from Fichte's does not prevent it from being strikingly original and of independent value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/that-hegel-s-theory-is-derivative-from-fichte-s-does-not-prevent-it/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is sad to witness the persistence in our society of the racism and xenophobia that seems to be a permanent part of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-sad-to-witness-the-persistence-in-our-society-of-the-racism-and/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is rational to choose the right means to your ends to develop very elegant abstract formal theories of rational choice, and then turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-rational-to-choose-the-right-means-to-your-ends-to-develop-very/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [We can never prove that we are free or integrate our freedom in any way into our objective conception of the causal order of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/we-can-never-prove-that-we-are-free-or-integrate-our-freedom-in-any/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Kant regards the universalizability test for maxims as focused on a very special sort of situation: one where the agent is tempted to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/kant-regards-the-universalizability-test-for-maxims-as-focused-on-a/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [My own view is that Kant's conception of the duality of the good (morality and happiness, the good of our person and the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/my-own-view-is-that-kant-s-conception-of-the-duality-of-the-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [It is actually a nice question how far Descartes himself endorses the monological and metaphysically dualistic theory of mind associated with his name and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/it-is-actually-a-nice-question-how-far-descartes-himself-endorses-the/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [In fact people do not know enough about themselves and what is good for them to form a sufficiently definite conception of the general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/in-fact-people-do-not-know-enough-about-themselves-and-what-is-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [Empiricist philosophy always tends to be anti-philosophy (and is often proud of it).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/empiricist-philosophy-always-tends-to-be-anti-philosophy-and-is-often/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) [Explore all 151 Allen W. Wood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) ## More Capitalism quotes > [Don't let's lose sight of what creates wealth. 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Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/) [Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) [F. A. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-a-harper/) > [The free market is ugly and stupid, like going to the mall; the unfree market is just as ugly and just as stupid, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-free-market-is-ugly-and-stupid-like-going-to-the-mall-the-unfree/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mstislav-rostropovich/capitalism-communism-it-s-all-garbage/) [Mstislav Rostropovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mstislav-rostropovich/) > [There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/there-are-no-two-countries-with-the-same-style-of-economic-mechanism/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Socialism is humanity's second nature. 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