Capitalism and communism each suppress their own emancipatory capabilities

Evidence

The fateful interdependence of the only two “sovereign” social systems in the contemporary world is expressive of the fact that the conflict between progress and politics, between man and his masters has become total. When capitalism meets the challenge of communism, it meets its own capabilities: spectacular development of all productive forces after the subordination of the private interests in profitability which arrest such development. When communism meets the challenge of capitalism, it too meets its own capabilities: spectacular comforts, liberties, and alleviation of the burden of life. Both systems have these capabilities distorted beyond recognition and, in both cases, the reason is in the last analysis the same—the struggle against a form of life which would dissolve the basis for domination. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 245

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: The convergence thesis: both superpowers distort their own real potential to prevent a form of life that would end domination — a genuinely paradigm-shifting symmetry claim.
• XREF: Echoes Frankfurt School’s critique of Soviet Marxism and anticipates ‘end of history’ debates while rejecting Fukuyama’s triumphalism. — connects to: Lenin’s anti-left-opportunism doctrine legitimized Communist accommodation with capitalism; Capitalism simultaneously destroys and expands human potential — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism: A Marxist…, 639; Feudalism’s narrow circles suppressed both collective spirit and individual freedom — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 647 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Capitalism simultaneously destroys and expands human potential #qualifies (0.78) — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 639
• Lenin’s anti-left-opportunism doctrine legitimized Communist accommodation with capitalism #exemplifies (0.75)
• Feudalism’s narrow circles suppressed both collective spirit and individual freedom #exemplifies (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 647