[WalterBright]

> almost all the "slices" are taken by owners and banks

That's what provides the incentives to produce.

As for "almost all", if you've ever run a business (I have) everyone you deal with has their hand out for a piece. The owner gets what is left over.

[bheadmaster]

> That's what provides the incentives to produce.

No, it's the threat of dying of hunger that provides the incentive to produce.

The fact that almost all slices are taken by owners and banks actually creates incentive to capture as much value as possible regardless of production of it.

[WalterBright]

Don't overlook the "slices" taken by the employees and everyone else who provides goods and services to your business.

> it's the threat of dying of hunger that provides the incentive to produce.

And then you contradict it with:

> creates incentive to capture as much value as possible

[bheadmaster]

I'm not contradicting anything, you just didn't get the distinction:

Incentive is to capture value, not create it. Workers create value because they have no other choice, but the system encourages capturing of value on a large scale. Rent-seeking and debt-collection is the most profitable activity in capitalism, not creation of value.

[WalterBright]

> Workers create value because they have no other choice

Of course they have a choice. They're not slaves.

> Rent-seeking and debt-collection is the most profitable activity in capitalism, not creation of value.

You can't collect wealth that is not created.

[bheadmaster]

> Of course they have a choice. They're not slaves.

Yes, they have a choice to be homeless and/or die of starvation. What a choice.

> You can't collect wealth that is not created.

By that logic, slavery is also a great system because it also creates value.