Life in the Market Ecosystem

Stuart K. Hayashi

Life in the Market Ecosystem, the second book in the Nature of Liberty trilogy, confronts evolutionary psychology head on. It describes the evolutionary psychologists’ theory of gene-culture co-evolution, which states that although customs and culture are not predetermined by anyone’s genetic makeup, one’s practice of a custom can influence the likelihood of that person having children and grandchildren. Therefore, according to the theory, customs count as evolutionary adaptations. Extending that theory further, as entire systems of political economy—capitalism, socialism, and hunter-gatherer subsistence—consist of multiple customs and institutions, it follows that an entire political-economic system can likewise be classified as an evolutionary adaptation.

Considering that liberal-republican capitalism has, insofar as the system has been implemented, done more to reduce the mortality rate and secure human fertility than other models of societal structure, it stands to reason that liberal-republican capitalism is itself a beneficent evolutionary adaptation. Moreover, as essential tenets of Rand’s Objectivism—individualism, observation-based rationality, and peaceable self-interest—have been integral to the development of the capitalist ecosystem, important aspects of the Objectivism are worthwhile adaptations as well. This book shall uphold that position, as well as combat critiques by evolutionary psychologists and environmentalists who denounce capitalism as self-destructive. Instead, capitalism is the most sustainable and fairest political model. This book argues that of all the philosophies, Objectivism is the one that is most fit for humanity.

Lexington Books

Pages: 776 • Trim: 7½ x 10¼

978-0-7391-8668-8 • Hardback • November 2014 • $171.00 • (£110.00)

978-0-7391-8669-5 • eBook • November 2014 • $162.50 • (£105.00)

Subjects: Business & Economics / Free Enterprise & Capitalism, Business & Economics / Economics / General, Philosophy / General, Political Science / Political Economy

Life in the Market Ecosystem

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Life in the Market Ecosystem, the second book in the Nature of Liberty trilogy, confronts evolutionary psychology head on. It describes the evolutionary psychologists’ theory of gene-culture co-evolution, which states that although customs and culture are not predetermined by anyone’s genetic makeup, one’s practice of a custom can influence the likelihood of that person having children and grandchildren. Therefore, according to the theory, customs count as evolutionary adaptations. Extending that theory further, as entire systems of political economy—capitalism, socialism, and hunter-gatherer subsistence—consist of multiple customs and institutions, it follows that an entire political-economic system can likewise be classified as an evolutionary adaptation.

Considering that liberal-republican capitalism has, insofar as the system has been implemented, done more to reduce the mortality rate and secure human fertility than other models of societal structure, it stands to reason that liberal-republican capitalism is itself a beneficent evolutionary adaptation. Moreover, as essential tenets of Rand’s Objectivism—individualism, observation-based rationality, and peaceable self-interest—have been integral to the development of the capitalist ecosystem, important aspects of the Objectivism are worthwhile adaptations as well. This book shall uphold that position, as well as combat critiques by evolutionary psychologists and environmentalists who denounce capitalism as self-destructive. Instead, capitalism is the most sustainable and fairest political model. This book argues that of all the philosophies, Objectivism is the one that is most fit for humanity.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 776 • Trim: 7½ x 10¼

978-0-7391-8668-8 • Hardback • November 2014 • $171.00 • (£110.00)

978-0-7391-8669-5 • eBook • November 2014 • $162.50 • (£105.00)

Subjects: Business & Economics / Free Enterprise & Capitalism, Business & Economics / Economics / General, Philosophy / General, Political Science / Political Economy

Author

Stuart K. Hayashi works at the Hawaii State Capitol as a legislative analyst and aide in the governor’s office and both legislative houses.

Table of Contents

LIFE IN THE MARKET ECOSYSTEM
The Survival of the Freest
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments
Preface
Part One—The Ecosystem of Human Society
Ch. 1. Adaptation Under Different Regime Models
Ch. 2. Folkways: Customs As Evolutionary Adaptations
Ch. 3. Industrial Revolution As Cultural Evolution
Ch. 4. The Role of the Individual in Kin Selection
Ch. 5. Competing Secular Theories About Ethics
Ch. 6. The Market Ecosystem
Ch. 7. The Standard Monopoly Myth
Ch. 8. The Standard of Value: Individual Life Versus Kin Selection
Ch. 9. A Bird Which Flies Solo: Liberty for the Loner
Part Two—The Creation of Wealth
Ch. 10. How Suicidal Is Global Capitalism?
Ch. 11. The Issues of Imperialism
Ch. 12. Environmentalism As an Unsustainable Policy
Ch. 13. Entrepreneurial Adaptation
Ch. 14. Man, The Resourceful Ape
Ch. 15. How Financiers Energize Enterprise
Ch. 16. Intellectual Property Rights Are Patently Great
Ch. 17. The Peaceful Individual As Sovereign
Part Three—The Distribution of Wealth
Ch. 18. The Most Basic Need
Ch. 19. Capitalism’s Moral Idealism
Ch. 20. Laissez Faire Versus the Welfare State: Which Is More Ruthless Toward the Poor?
Ch. 21. The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Richer
Bibliography
Final Page of Bibliography
About the Author
Total Number of Pages (including those numbered with Roman numerals)

i

ii

1
1
28
68
130
186
238
273
305
367

403
403
435
466
500
540
568
596
656

696
696
732

760
789

856
974
975
988

Reviews

Life in the Market Ecosystem is a richly researched and powerfully uncompromising argument for laissez-faire. With a patient but unwavering focus, the book addresses capitalism's ubiquitous critiques while offering a morally grounded perspective on its global potential. This ambitious and illuminating treatise cements Hayashi among today's leading new intellectuals.
— Jonathan Hoenig, Fox News Contributor and Portfolio Manager, Capitalistpig Hedge Fund LLC

In this ambitious work, Stuart Hayashi clearly, systematically, and accessibly articulates the secular, philosophical, and moral foundations of a free society based on the supremacy of individual rights in which each person has the opportunity to pursue his flourishing and happiness. The author explains these foundations in language that will be understandable to educated laypersons, college students, and concerned citizens who follow current political issues covered by the media. While discussing the compatibility of human nature and individual rights, he makes a compelling and unprecedented argument that particular theories from the field of evolutionary psychology are congruent with Objectivism’s views on human nature, individual rights, morality, social relationships, and the nature and rules of a proper government (i.e., a limited night watchman state). Hayashi’s book is a masterful feat of intellectual integration from various disciplines that builds on the work of Ayn Rand and other intellectual giants, past and present.
— Edward W. Younkins, Wheeling Jesuit University

Stuart K. Hayashi's Life in the Market Ecosystem, an exciting sequel to The Freedom of Peaceful Action, continues a prolific journey towards a tremendously deep understanding of man's individual rights in the modern, industrial context. With no stone left unturned and explored, Hayashi explains how the human ecosystem has evolved over time and how it has been studied and interpreted—rightly and wrongly—over the last three centuries. That grounding makes for a fascinating and provocative re-interpretation of nineteenth century liberalism and capitalism that is sure to infuriate and inspire in equal measure. The end result is a remarkable work of diverse scholarship that hammers home the essential point that man, that greatest of animals, requires liberty to think, survive, and prosper.
— Alexander Marriott, Wiley College

Stuart Hayashi has done it again. In this carefully researched book, he has marshaled an impressive array of facts, integrating them into a sustained and effective argument for liberty. Life in the Market Ecosystem should be studied diligently by the friends and foes of freedom alike.

— Andrew Bernstein, author of The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire

Life in the Market Ecosystem

Stuart K. Hayashi

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