BuzzFeed blew my mind recently. The site I once thought famous for listicals, funny GIFs and other clickbait, put out a multi-part investigative journalism expose on a little-known part of capitalism through which, according to the article, people are making millions, and countries are being financially ruined.
In short, BuzzFeed looked at something called “investor-state dispute settlement” or (ISDS). I’m not sure I’m up on all the details, but ISDS is essentially a kind of binding arbitration originally designed to balance power between corporations and state entities (countries) when trade disputes arise.
Unfortunately, due to the amoral nature of both capitalism and the medium of exchange used within capitalism, this process is now being used to intimidate, bully, and rip off countries; exonerate criminals; and clear large corporations of wrong doing – even when they are actually guilty, while lawyers involved in the process get rich.
I’ve read the first of four installments. There was so much detail, I had to skip some of it because it was heart-breaking to read. You can read the series yourself, or, if you’re too busy and just want the Cliff’s Notes, you can watch the video at the bottom of this post.
When I first read this piece, I thought OMG, these people operating in this process are the ones who could do Copiosis in. The system they’ve corrupted to fleece governments, communities, etc., seemed above the law. Ultra powerful. For a moment I was scared.
But then I realized something. The people operating in this process are all doing it because they can. This process is being corrupted, used for other than the original purpose, because lawyers, like everyone else in capitalism, are out to make money. The fact that capitalism and the money used in it is amoral guarantees this kind of thing will happen over and over.
So what was once fear converted into inspiration because ISDS is a perfect example of how capitalism creates opportunity for amoral profiteering. And there’s a lot of money to be had through ISDS.
Whether it’s false claims from antibacterial soap makers or a legal process being used to intimidate entire countries, I have to remember people are at the center of all these things and, people’s intentions are always good – from their point of view. Everyone is just trying to do their best in a deeply flawed system.
And this is yet another reason why, I’m making Copiosis a reality; to offer a better system which inspires far better human behavior.
Thank you BuzzFeed