[Baba Ahmed]

Originally Posted by RASNUBIAN

THATS WHY I WAS LOOKING FOR A "GOOD" DEFINIATION

Seems to me basically u can use two pronged approach, indicated in the following quote from Chancellor Williams, The Destruction of Black Civilization.... I cite this, not because alternatives aren't present in the general studies of Afrikan cultures, but bcause we're living now under capitalism and it, economic theory will remain one of our most difficult theories to put into place now. We have to eat sleep and dress safely... now not years down the road. Ya dig? So while we study to be Afrikans in America for the time being, we have use money.

"It is needless to say what elementary common sense dictates, which is that when African people achieve enough unity to develop the ideological guidelines for their own advancement, they will draw what is best for them from any or all existing systems as a simple matter of course. For whatever an African organized way of life might be, tehy would not hesitate any more than Stalin and Soviet leaders when they brought in capitalists from the United States, Germany and England - not to adopt capitalism - but to learn those capitalistic skills, techniques and methods which would be useful in building a great Soviet Union. The emerging communist states drew heavily on capitalism when it served their purpose, openly and without apology. Hence they became equal with the greatest powers without changing their own ideology. These observations are addressed only to those who seem not to know that one may extract what he needs from capitalism and communism without becoming capitalist or communist."

As to your question for a pithy definition, Im not the one. I stand aside to let one of our more learned bruthas or sistahs run that to you. And also for you to continue studying. For e.g., Im more into recognizing some of the deadening results a Capitalist economic order can produce. But then u can see that. Influences maybe not seen by folk I talk with. But even knowing that doesn't relieve me of transacting business in a capitalistic.... as it stands now. But if by some extremely miraculous happening it didn't exist any longer, I could deal on a small scale like I do now. Many merchants and vendors I deal with don't charge tax. I did it in my own store. I paid State taxes and income taxes but didn't charge my customers sales tax. To me all customers rec'd a discount. Or if I "loaned" some money, I did/do not charge interest. Just examples on a very small scale. So on that level I wasn't concerned with "maximizing profits." But when I bought supplies and equipment on credit, I could reduce interest due buy paying say in 10 days. Bleeve it tho, I paid it for just like my suppliers, we all pay interests to lets say household utility providers, all who operate in credit transactions. What I am saying is that those things I can do that is opposite capitalist methods I do. REally tho we all are affected by the "smoke" of capitalistic usury rates.
My point? Whatever I can do that I know is opposite and damaging to me, my family and people, I'll do in a common sense manner. The word Capitalist in and of itself is not poison. Mainly its how folk use it. See if folk are interested sincerely in bcoming Afrikan in its traditional sense, they'll study the hows.

I hope this'll help a lil.