What Is Capitalism? How Do We Break Free From It?

We live in an economic system called capitalism. Capitalism is an economic system where a group of people (the workers) have only their labor to sell to another group of people (the capitalists/bourgeoisie) who own all the businesses, factories, land, transportation, buildings, etc. These are the two main classes in capitalism. Other classes include small business owners who work in their own enterprises, as well as a small class of managers, administrators, and police, who discipline the working class. But the two largest and most powerful classes are the workers and the capitalists.

A Response from Noel Ignatiev

To the editors,

I read with interest the article by Arturo in the July-September issue, “Why Prisons Are Built As Schools Are Closed Down.” I was particularly struck by the report that the closing of schools has led to as many as fifty students per class and students sitting on the floor because there are not enough chairs, no ESL programs, and no guidance counselors.