Mass shootings are among the most shocking and tragic manifestations of violence in modern society. While the availability of firearms and individual psychological factors are often cited as primary contributors, it is increasingly clear that the social and cultural environment created by modern capitalism can also play a significant role in shaping the conditions that make these events more likely.
At its core, capitalism emphasises competition, personal achievement and status. In societies where success is measured in wealth, career advancement or social recognition, individuals who feel marginalised, unsuccessful or humiliated may experience intense resentment and isolation. Some critics might argue that these feelings of humiliation often exist long before economic or professional pressures become a factor. While this is true, capitalism can amplify those pre-existing vulnerabilities. Constant exposure to social comparison, economic inequality and the glorification of high achievers can intensify feelings of inadequacy or failure. In other words, even if resentment exists beforehand, capitalist structures can exacerbate it, increasing the risk of extreme reactions.
Some might argue that the real driver is not capitalism itself but the human desire for material things, combined with each individual’s perception of success or failure. That objection is valid: what matters most is often how a person interprets their circumstances, not the objective reality. Yet capitalism intensifies this dynamic by constantly surrounding people with symbols of wealth, status and acquisition. Even if the perception is distorted or exaggerated, the culture of comparison created by capitalist systems provides the backdrop against which those perceptions gain force, sometimes pushing vulnerable individuals further toward resentment or despair.
Economic stress is another contributing factor. Job insecurity, housing pressures and growing income inequality create chronic stress and feelings of powerlessness. Chronic stress and frustration can exacerbate emotional dysregulation, making extreme reactions more likely. In other words, people under constant social and economic pressure may be more susceptible to acting on violent impulses, particularly when they feel they have few other outlets for their grievances.
Isolation and the erosion of community bonds, also common in highly individualistic capitalist societies, further compound the problem. Without strong social networks, individuals have fewer opportunities for intervention, support or guidance when their anger and frustration escalate. Loneliness and social fragmentation can leave grievances unchallenged and unmoderated, creating a dangerous psychological environment.
Modern media culture, heavily influenced by capitalist incentives, glorifies notoriety and sensationalism. Stories of mass shooters are widely covered, often emphasising the perpetrator’s planning, violence and infamy. This creates a perverse incentive for individuals seeking recognition or a sense of significance: violence becomes not only a way to express anger or seek revenge but also a method for achieving attention in a society that rewards spectacle.
Finally, while capitalism does not directly supply firearms, in societies where gun ownership is relatively easy, these psychological and social pressures intersect with lethal tools. The combination of grievance, alienation and access to high-capacity weapons dramatically increases the potential for catastrophic violence.
In short, modern capitalism does not “cause” mass shootings in a deterministic sense. Yet it fosters social conditions (intense competition, isolation, economic stress and a culture of notoriety) that can amplify pre-existing psychological vulnerabilities, creating an environment in which extreme acts of violence are more likely to occur.
