“It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism.”

—Slavoj Žižek

A Cage With Invisible Bars

Have you ever tried to imagine a world beyond capitalism?

Perhaps, like me, you’ve found that your mind runs into an invisible wall.

For many of us, capitalism feels not just like the dominant economic system but as inevitable as gravity.

Why does envisioning alternatives feel so impossible?

Why does a post-capitalist world seem so distant, while dystopian visions of environmental collapse, nuclear wars, and societal decay feel vivid and immediate?

It’s not because we lack creativity or care.

It’s because capitalism isn’t just an economic system; it’s a mindset.

As a deeply ingrained ideology, capitalism frames how we think about work, value, and success.

It’s the lens through which many of us view the world, and as Slavoj Žižek said, “it is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism.”

If you’re nodding along—or perhaps rolling your eyes—it’s because you feel the realness of those words.

Capitalist Realism

Capitalist realism, a term popularized by theorist Mark Fisher, describes the pervasive belief that there is no viable alternative to capitalism.

It’s the idea that every attempt to dream of something better ultimately folds back into the system itself.

Consider this: movies that critique capitalism—such as The Wolf of Wall Street or Wall-E—still rake in millions of dollars, feeding the very system they condemn.

Capitalism absorbs resistance and turns it into profit.

This dynamic is what makes capitalism feel inescapable.

The system shapes not only how we live but how we think about living.

Even in moments of rebellion, we often unconsciously reproduce the logic of the system.

The Psychological Submission

Why is imagining an alternative so difficult?

Part of the answer lies in what psychologists and sociologists call “presentism.”

This is the tendency to view the present system as inevitable simply because it’s what we know.

Let’s break this down:

Feature	Capitalism’s Influence	Effect on Imagination
Normalization of Inequality	Wealth disparity is seen as a natural outcome of merit	Limits belief in more equitable systems
Hyper-Individualism	Emphasis on personal success over collective welfare	Weakens communal visions for systemic change
Consumerist Identity	Value is tied to what you own or produce	Reduces focus on non-materialist ways of living
Absorption of Dissent	Protests become trends, sold as commodities	Distrust of revolutionary movements

When you think about “success,” you might picture money, fame, or personal achievement.

But how often do we imagine success as collective well-being or ecological harmony?

That’s the power of capitalist realism at work: it narrows our definition of progress, steering us back toward the system, no matter how much we critisize it.

The Role of History: A Distorted Mirror

Many of us view history through a capitalist framework, even when studying pre-capitalist societies.

Feudalism, socialism, and indigenous modes of life are often taught as “primitive” or “failed.”

This narrative makes capitalism appear as the pinnacle of human achievement.

Karl Marx argued that capitalism’s strength lies in its ability to obscure its own origins.

Exchange, production, and even money itself are presented as natural and eternal, rather than products of specific historical conditions.

This leads to what Marx called “reification”—the transformation of social relationships into things that seem permanent and immutable.

When we engage with history, it’s vital to remember that capitalism hasn’t always existed.

Its rise was not inevitable, and neither is its continued dominance.

History is full of examples of systems evolving and collapsing.

Feudalism, after all, gave way to capitalism. Why should capitalism be the end of the story?

Breaking the Chains of Imagination

If the problem lies in our inability to imagine, then the solution must begin with cultivating imagination.

How can we do this?

1. Reclaim Collective Thinking

Modern society glorifies individualism, but systemic change requires collective action.

You can start by engaging with communities that challenge capitalist norms—whether that’s a local cooperative, an environmental organization, or simply a book club discussing alternatives to capitalism.

2. Question What Is “Natural”

Take a moment to question the things you take for granted.

Why do we associate success with profit?

Why do we consider unemployment a personal failure rather than a systemic flaw?

3. Embrace Utopian Thinking

Utopia isn’t a dirty word. Many social movements began as utopian dreams. Allow yourself to envision a world not just as it is but as it could be.

4. Learn From Marginalized Voices

Indigenous philosophies, socialist movements, and alternative economic models offer rich perspectives on how societies can function outside of capitalism. Explore thinkers like David Graeber, and Amartya Sen.

A Familiar Tune: Lyrics That Speak to the Struggle

Consider “Imagine” by John Lennon:

“Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man.”

The song captures the spirit of imagining beyond capitalism—a world where materialism and competition no longer define human existence.

Listening to music like this can spark your own revolutionary ideas.

Why It Matters to Me

For a decade, I was stuck in a corporate job that drained every ounce of my creativity.

Like many, I believed hard work would lead to fulfillment. But instead, I found myself measuring my worth in promotions and paychecks, chasing goals I didn’t even value.

One day, while hiking with a friend who lived a radically different lifestyle, I realized how narrow my view of “success” had been.

He wasn’t wealthy, but he was free in ways I couldn’t comprehend.

That encounter forced me to reevaluate my assumptions about work, value, and happiness.

Now, I’m not saying I abandoned capitalism entirely. But I’ve since pursued projects and lifestyles that align more with my values—writing, woodworking, and engaging with communities that prioritize people over profit.

This shift taught me that the first step to imagining a world beyond capitalism is to question how capitalism shapes your life and decisions.

If you can do that, you’ve already begun to break free.

The Road Ahead

Thinking beyond capitalism isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s a personal and collective challenge.

If you feel trapped by its constraints, you’re not alone. But remember, the bars of the cage aren’t solid.

They’re made of assumptions—ones that can be questioned, challenged, and ultimately dismantled.

It won’t happen overnight.

But step by step, you and I can learn to imagine something better.

And perhaps one day, we’ll find that the end of capitalism is easier to imagine than the end of the world.