| The skills revolution undermines egalitarianism |
 |
 |
| Written by Dr Fred Hansen | |
| Friday, 30 May 2008 | |
|
In his Treatise on the Family, Becker argues that the quality of children also matters because investment in education results in an ability to command a high price on the labour market. His definition of quality comes very close to that of Thomas Hobbes: The value or worth of a man is, as of all other things, his price; that is to say, so much as would be given for the use of his power, and therefore is not absolute, but a thing dependent on the need and judgment of another. The surging role of human capital in Western economies increasingly undermines the politics of the welfare state based on egalitarianism. It is not possible redistribute wealth if it isn’t something people have but is rather what they are. But it goes much further than this with science and health issues. The belief on the left in egalitarianism as an instrument for social justice is increasingly challenged by modern science: Science measures our material and animal qualities, and it finds them to be patently unequal…We are born physically and mentally unequal, and always remain so…inequality is the human condition.
Bookmark
Comments (3)
...
written by Per Kurowski, May 30, 2008
This conflicts though with figures indicating that the remuneration of labor as a percentage of GDP is going down.
...
written by Barry Sheridan, May 30, 2008
At last, someone with the wherewithal to speak in real terms. The idea of human equality has always been a nonesense, even if it is an attractive notion for some. I for one have long realised that there are millions of men and women who are far more capable than I could ever hope to be. My solution to this is not bitterness or envy, but a willingness to do the best I can with the qualities I had. My peace comes from honouring that quest.
... written by Charles D Quarles, May 30, 2008
The only equality that has ever been is equality under G-d and before the law. To me, the most egregious failing of the Left is that it doesn't understand that simple concept. Graduated income taxes grossly violate the principle. Equality before the law demands that everyone pay taxes (no exemptions) and that everyone either pay the same amount or the same rate (flat tax).
You simply cannot help a poor man (not the same thing as a man not posessing a pile of gold) by harming a rich man (not the same thing as a man possessing a pile of gold, for instance). The founders of the United States of America did understand this and enunciated it. Imperfect as it was, the original Constution of the United States of America did much to implement this concept; for which G-d has greatly blessed the USA. I'd rather be a felon in the United States of America than be a subject of Cuba, North Korea, Iran, well, you get the picture. Write comment
This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.
|
Chicago economist and Nobel Laureate Gary Becker has specialized in human capital and claims that three quarters of America’s wealth is now represented in its people - meaning that human capital is now more important than physical capital. Today’s wealth of the nation lies in people’s skills, knowledge and health. It’s less the fertility of the soil but that of the population that counts. 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
About the ASI
The Adam Smith Institute is the UK's leading innovator of free-market economic and social policies. Politically independent and non-profit, the Institute promotes its ideas through reports, briefings, events, media appearances, and its website and blog. For further information, click here.Join our email list
Keep up-to-date with the latest events, reports and information from the Adam Smith Institute by joining our fortnightly email list. It's free and you can unsubscribe at any point. Just enter your email address here:
