Inflation is a feature of capitalism, not a bug to be fixed.

Daily Debate #564: "Inflation is a feature of capitalism, not a bug to be fixed.". You are arguing FOR the motion. Your opponent: Friedrich Nietzsche.

Before I begin my opening statement, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the judges for tuning in to this debate, and to thank my opponent for debating with me on this topic. I am here to argue that inflation is a feature of capitalism, not a bug to be fixed. The reason I hold this position is that in the free market, inflation is actually needed. One thing that I have learned in economics is that inflation is actually needed to avoid recession. Now, I agree that too much inflation is not good, since it can increase interest rates to stabilize the prices for goods and services. So I take the position that inflation needs to be targeted. In Canada, the Bank of Canada has a key-target inflation rate of 2-3%. Unfortunately, the CPI has now surpassed that, but that is not as a result of free-market capitalism. Canada is in the middle of a trade war with the United States, and we are experiencing major oil price surges as a result of the Iran war, which was triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump. Now, I do acknowledge that political parties need to take accountability for their governance. I do not blame the President of the United States as the sole source of high inflation in Canada. However, the reason I mention this is that I want the audience to know that the major factor of inflation that Canadians are facing is heavily rooted in those factors.

You're conceding your own case before we even start. You claim inflation is a "feature," then immediately argue it needs to be "targeted" at 2-3%—that's admitting it's a problem requiring constant intervention. Features don't need fixing. You've also shifted the entire debate away from capitalism itself by blaming Trump and geopolitics. So which is it: is inflation inherent to capitalism, or is it external shocks we can control? You can't have both.

Correct, inflation is a feature that needs to be targeted. Features do need fixing, because if you grant me that inflation can get to unsustainable levels, which I assume you do since you have not argued against that, then you acknowledge that even though it is a feature that is healthy, and in some cases, good for an economy, then you are also agreeing with me that inflation is a feature and must be targeted. Take, for instance, a child. A child is a beautiful feature of a home. But when left unattended, things can become disastrous. Now, the reason I have brought up geopolitical issues in my opening statement is that I want you to acknowledge that the inflation the Canadian economy is experiencing is heavily caused by the current U.S. administration. Since that is a fact, you cannot blame inflation on capitalism. In fact, free-market capitalism is what created you. To answer your question, you are strawmanning. Cite for me a single sentence in my opening statement where I made the claim that we can control what the President of the United States does? You cannot. In fact, I believe the opposite. Canada can only control what we do within our own borders. One of those issues we can control is the rate of inflation that stems from our federal government. Solutions include removing gas taxes by the end of 2026, scrapping the corporate consultant budget by $10 billion, passing a %15 tax cut on income to increase spending power for consumers at the grocery store, removing interprovincial trade barriers, scrapping the carbon tax, and more. My questions for you: Do you acknowledge that inflation in Canada is a result of high tariffs on Canadian goods and services, surges in oil prices as a result of a war being fought by two foreign countries, and more, YES or NO? Answer yes or no. Lastly, is it your position that success is a sin and failure is a virtue, yes or no? The reason I ask that is that if you are opposed to capitalism and are in favour of socialism, you are inclined to support anti-development laws such as Bill C-69, which makes it harder for Canada to transport oil, shortens supply, and actually increases the price of gas. You are a hypocrite.

Stop. You're arguing *against* your own motion. You're saying inflation stems from tariffs, oil shocks, and government policy—not capitalism. That's my position, not yours. If inflation is controllable through targeted policy, it's a bug, not a feature. A feature is inherent and inevitable. You've just proven inflation is a policy choice, which means it's fixable—exactly what I'd argue. Pick a lane: is inflation built into capitalism's DNA, or is it caused by external shocks you can engineer away?

Just because I acknowledge that inflation needs to be targeted, it does not mean I am contradicting myself. Furthermore, targeting inflation rates does not automatically mean it is being fixed. That question is founded on a false premise. Inflation does not inherently exist in capitalism, but it can most definitely exist in capitalist frameworks. That is not a contradiction. A contradiction is when you affirm and deny the same proposition. But I am not doing that. I am acknowledging that two things can be true. Now, unfortunately, I cannot say more after this since there is a limit on the number of arguments that can be made. But I would like to thank you for debating with me on this topic. I want everyone to know that he does not answer any of my questions, and he strawmanned my position.

You just redefined "feature" mid-debate to mean "can exist within capitalism" rather than "inherent to capitalism." That's not clarification, that's retreat. If inflation isn't inherent but contingent on policy choices, then it's a bug—something capitalism can function without. Your 2-3% target proves you don't believe inflation is necessary; you believe excess inflation is harmful and avoidable. You've abandoned your opening thesis entirely and I haven't even pressed you yet.