Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “How capitalism corrupts democracy” which was published in The Tribune. As per Economist expert, Arun Maira, drugs of fentanyl’s ilk currently kill around 70,000 Americans a year, more than (those who) died in the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan combined due to growing  Illegal Drug Market in America. 

Illegal Drug Market in America – Associated Concerns

• Xylazine: A drug commonly used as a tranquilizer (a sedative) for animals like cows and horses. It has made its way into the illegal drug market in the U.S., particularly in drugs like fentanyl.
  • It was synthesized in Belgium in 1959 as a legal painkiller. 
• Fentanyl: A powerful synthetic opioid, used legitimately for pain management. Illegally produced fentanyl, often mixed with other substances, has become a significant public health concern due to its potency and the increased risk of overdoses.
• Combination of Xylazine and Fentanyl: A dangerous combination that enhances the life-threatening effects of respiratory depression caused by opioids like fentanyl, increasing the risk of overdose and death.
• High Usage: From the 1990s, doctors in the US prescribed painkillers unnecessarily, incentivised by unethical pharmaceutical firms. By 2015, some 227 million prescriptions for opioids were made out every year in the US, roughly one for every adult. 
  • However, in Europe due to universal medical care, there were broad restrictions unlike Americans’ use of painkillers to quickly fix the ailments.

Profit Over People: Capitalism, Technology, and the Erosion of Democracy in America

Corruption of Democracy through Capitalism: Science and technology are powerful instruments that are used to improve the performance of the Universe and Artificial intelligence and synthetic biology are its exciting new frontiers. 

• Capitalism: It is the economic system in which businesses are owned and run for profit by individuals and not by the state
• Great danger is for leaving such powerful instruments in the control of companies in any sector whose mission is to improve only profits.
  • Drugs and guns produced and sold by US companies are killing tens of thousands of American citizens. 
• More Influence than Regulation: US capitalism is not unregulated, its pharmaceutical, health and financial sectors are heavily regulated. However, US firms have great power to influence regulations. 
  • Companies can spend large amounts of money, legally, to lobby for their interests, and fund think tanks and universities to produce ideas that support their ideology.
• In the American version of ‘no-holds-barred’ capitalism, the business of business is business. Government regulation of business curbs innovative ways of industries from making profits. 

Building a Strong Democracy: The Imperative for Responsible Media and Government

• Responsible Media: As a fourth pillar of democracy, the media have the responsibility to engage and educate citizens about such serious issues.
• Responsible Government: Governments must learn to govern the economy for the benefit of all citizens. A government has to provide all citizens with healthcare and education regardless of their ability to pay. 
  • A Government must regulate the profit-seeking urges of private businesses.

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