BarkellWH -> RE: My Offer (Jan. 26 2017 17:05:31)
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The question is whether inequality is a built-in feature of a functional economic system, whether local, regional, national, international or whichever scale you choose. Let me try and answer the question you pose above, based on my experience as a diplomat in various countries and a good deal of study of, as well as practical experience working in, the political-economies of those countries. I would apply my answer to economic disparities within countries as well, including the United States. My studies and experience suggest to me that there is no theoretically "perfect" economic system, whether one speaks of Capitalism, Socialism, or some variant of Communism. Nevertheless, in taking Capitalism as an example, I do not see inequality as a built-in feature of the system, i.e., there is no inherent inequality present in a Capitalist system that is independent of the people participating in the Capitalist system. What we perceive as inequality is not a function of the "system" as such. Rather, it is a function of the varying abilities and cultural traits that people participating in the system bring to it. As noted in my previous post, there are cultural traits and abilities that advance economic development, individually and collectively, and there are those that impede it. I would make one caveat in that we have clearly seen that there is a great disparity in economic development when one compares systems. In the heyday of "Socialism" of whatever stripe, whether that in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, or so-called "African Socialism," or the infamous "Burmese Way to Socialism," it did not matter what traits an individual or group possessed, the system itself stymied any attempt at development or advancement compared to the Capitalist world of the West. When the British left Burma, it was the greatest rice exporter in Asia. After Socialism took over, it became a net importer of rice. And, of course, Socialism drove many African countries into the ground. And the residue of Communism is still evident in Eastern Europe compared to the West. One further caveat, there will always be those in any economic system who try to manipulate it and "game" the system, sometimes unlawfully, in order to gain a greater advantage. Like inequality, I do not view that as inherent in the Capitalist system, and certainly not necessary for it to function. At any rate, that is my take on your question based on my study and experience in grappling with it over a lifetime. Bill
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