Capitalism, conservatism, and Catholicism

Here's an interesting post -- presenting an argument that resonates with at least some strands and themes in the CST tradition -- by Rod Dreher on the threats posed by a consumption-dependent culture to conservative values, virtues, and institutions.   A bit:

Capitalism is an ingenious system for increasing material prosperity. It succeeded historically because the free market is the most rational device for meeting human wants and needs. It also thrived because it rewarded creativity and industriousness, and encouraged both qualities. And the most prosperous people under capitalism tended to be those who understood the value of self-denial and delayed gratification.

Today, however, capitalism is defined not by a producer mentality but by a consumer ethos. . . .