Explain Like I'm 5 (ELI5)

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ELI5 why is perpetual growth "inherent" to capitalism? Is it? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by ivanafterall@lemmy.world to c/eli5@lemmy.world

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Why can't I, in theory, start a business, grow it until it's successful, then just...be content and stop growing? Why do people talk about it as inherent to the system to grow like cancer? What about capitalism causes that and why can't we avoid it? Like, technically speaking?

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[–] dudeface@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

There are plenty of companies that tick along fine at around the same levels each year

Problem is shareholders who contribute nothing except money but expect growth