ROBERT LEKACHMAN
75
there is less scotch and beer? Do brotherhood and sisterhood wane?
As
Marx foresaw, the relentless commercialization of religion,
politics, and popular culture have converted the ties that in the past
bound men and women
to
each other as members of communities,
into so many articles of commerce. The consumer has learned
to
expect more each year. Since it is not in the cards that his wish will be
gratified, it is exceedingly hard
to
envision a very long or very attrac–
tive future for market capitalism.
It
is equally hard
to
be optimistic
about the shape of postcapitalist society, but that is an essay for
another occasion.
