ABSTRACT
The individual, private property, and the state form a trinity of paradigm pervades world view, which sees the earth as formed by God for human sustenance and flourishing, providing the materials for potential commodities for production and sale. The term “property” is like a metaphor for a subsistence farm, a parcel of land allocated to an individual who allows autonomy and self-sufficiency outside of the state. In the name of property, one can control others for the purposes of expanding value and wealth. The market is an “autonomous agent,” operating as a “steering mechanism” for humans, who respond to price signals. Such actions are rewarded by increasing wealth, even if by means of treating other humans as instruments. The market orients each individual to seek the activities and capacities that are most valued by others. Donald Trump is the supposed apotheosis of the “self-made” businessman, whose self-promotion schemes are understood to be fake, like all marketing.
