My answer to Does amazon hurt the economy?
Answer by Desmond Last:
Yes. Amazon has damaged both the Global and Domestic Economies.
Any large organisation in the existing ‘system’ of Capitalism or more appropriately ‘Concentration of Capital Systems’ will, if left unchecked, use its domination and ‘monopolistic type’ advantage to its own benefit – Profit for the Shareholders. It will do this with a complete disregard for the effect it has on the market and its competitors.
However Amazon also employs people, creates a profit chain for manufacturers and acts as a price dampener for consumers. Amazon also pays Corporation Taxes to Governments.
Amazon destroys the small shop-owner. A whole sector of the Economy which for many is an opportunity to increase their wealth has slowly been eroded away, in some cases gone. Those local shopkeepers who still exist find themselves competing for price with Amazon, but without the economies of scale that Amazon enjoys. But that is not Amazon’s fault.
Amazon is a Global resource user. A vast amount of cardboard is used by Amazon. Recycled or not its use of large cardboard boxes to transport small items shows that the Global Community is not high on its priority list. Amazon say that they will in the future use less cardboard – but do not say by when.
Amazon also drives down wages, restricts choice, adds increased costs and reduces profit margin to established competitors . It is able to use clever, almost misleading wording on its Web site to add charges the consumer does not want. Amazon does all this within Government legislation.
Amazon’s move into food delivery will further reduce the farmer’s profit margins. The Farmer will have to reduce his prices if he is a supplier to an Amazon competitor.
Amazon does not add to the bottom line of Western economies as many of its products come from ASIA. Governments ignore the use of Corporation tax as a tool for Domestic Investment, so Amazon has no incentive to supply from local companies.
The Amazon website we use, makes no mention of Global causes. Amazon does not use its position in the World for Global Community benefit.
It does not highlight Green or community products and does not investigate supply chains for child labour and wage exploitation.
The founder Jeff Bezos invests in Space Travel instead of Climate Change systems such as alternative economies for the Amazon Rain forest. That is his choice.
But who is at fault. Amazon, the Government or, or we the People?
We want the delivery and we want it now. Or do we?
Would we rather Amazon was able to be involved with Global Communities providing investment and their products on Amazons website. A system I advocate in my development of the United Nations – where I suggest we stop all Aid and instead provide loans and a market – read www.showempathy.one
Climate Change: Amazon ignores Climate Change at its peril. It relies on heavily on the Global Transport and Distribution Systems.
This is Amazon’s Achilles Heel. As Climate Change worsens so too will the ability of Amazon to supply.
In summary. Yes Amazon does harm the Global Economy but we allow it to.
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