Capitalism and Rights

Rob and I are having a bit of a back and forth concerning the subsidization of higher education. I'm having some difficulty following his argument, though, so I want to move it over to a post and get a little more philosophical.

Rob, as you stated earlier, you think capitalism is an amoral system. Yet you believe that the benefits of a capitalistic society establish specific moral standards. Take the case of higher education. Modern, mainstream higher education is made possible by capitalism. Mass production of study materials, construction of buildings and campuses, coordinating of dining services, the instant, all-encompassing spread of ideas around the world and historical amounts of leisure time are just a few indications and example of how capitalism has paved the road for millions to receive a low cost, high quality higher education that they never would have received under any other economic system.

This amoral system, thus, is doing a great deal of good. And you think that individuals have an inherent right to the benefits of this amoral system.

So my question for you is how can an amoral system be the parent of moral standards? In other words, how can higher education be a moral good every citizen has a right to if its creation was the result of amoral forces?

My answer is that it can't, but those in power pretend it can and most people like the simple utopian appeal and buy into it. This, in my opinion, is the essence of politics.

But before I say any more though I am interested in hearing what you have to say.