It said something about the ability of the free marketplace to mold people's behavior into a socially acceptable pattern. For this was capitalism at its most raw, and it was self-destructive.
The quote emphasizes how the free market can influence individuals to conform to behaviors deemed acceptable by society. It suggests that capitalist systems, in their most fundamental form, can shape personal actions and values in a way that aligns with societal expectations.
However, the passage also highlights a paradox in capitalism; while it encourages conformity and social acceptability, it may simultaneously lead to self-destructive outcomes. This duality illustrates the complexities inherent in capitalist systems, as they can reward certain behaviors while also nurturing conditions that may ultimately be detrimental to society and the individuals within it.
