St. Maximos' Hut

In my reading to understand why so many theologians don't like the market system, I find many references for the need for more community, which is lacking in modern, capitalist societies, as well as concerns over consumerism. As a Christian, I am sympathetic toward both notions, but am not convinced that the problems are due to capitalism. I have visited a museum in Rottenberg ob der Taube that covers medieval punishments. You can see a rack and thumbscrews there, as well as a number of odd devices. One such item has the shape of two violins and has room for two necks and two sets of hands. It was used to force bickering women to face one another until they could agree to stop bickering. It is somewhat humorous (and sexist--there were also punishments for men who failed to control their wives), but illustrates the idea that community implies intrusiveness into individuals' and families' lives. Community provides benefits but also costs.
There were also laws concerning how wide a woman's collar on her dress could be. Upper class women could have broader collars than lower class women, and there was a tendency for the members of the lower classes to emulate the upper classes. Madison Avenue didn't exist yet, nor television commercials, nor fan magazines.
It would be nice if we could have only the positive attributes of institutions and not the negative--only the positive aspects of community, the medical care available today without the cost of expensive equipment, the ability to travel the world without oil spills or pollution. It would even be better if we human beings weren't so deeply flawed.