Do you believe in meritocracy or inherited privilege?
Poll: Do you believe in meritocracy or inherited privilege?
Total Members Polled: 33
Discussion
The way the question is phrased is cumbersome, and obviously the answer is "no".
But there is a more subtle point that you sidestep. Is is overall beneficial to society that people are able to build wealth and pass it on to their descendants? For many, the thought of offering a better life to their children is a powerful incentive and generates a lot of our economy.
So as with many things - on the micro scale, no. Nobody is entitled to anything. But on the macro scale, the promise of accumulation of wealth and power is what drives society.
But there is a more subtle point that you sidestep. Is is overall beneficial to society that people are able to build wealth and pass it on to their descendants? For many, the thought of offering a better life to their children is a powerful incentive and generates a lot of our economy.
So as with many things - on the micro scale, no. Nobody is entitled to anything. But on the macro scale, the promise of accumulation of wealth and power is what drives society.
deckster said:
The way the question is phrased is cumbersome, and obviously the answer is "no".
But there is a more subtle point that you sidestep. Is is overall beneficial to society that people are able to build wealth and pass it on to their descendants? For many, the thought of offering a better life to their children is a powerful incentive and generates a lot of our economy.
So as with many things - on the micro scale, no. Nobody is entitled to anything. But on the macro scale, the promise of accumulation of wealth and power is what drives society.
There are two issues: class and wealth and although they sometimes coincide they don’t always. But there is a more subtle point that you sidestep. Is is overall beneficial to society that people are able to build wealth and pass it on to their descendants? For many, the thought of offering a better life to their children is a powerful incentive and generates a lot of our economy.
So as with many things - on the micro scale, no. Nobody is entitled to anything. But on the macro scale, the promise of accumulation of wealth and power is what drives society.
My question was aimed at whether people support the class system where people are seen as better and have access to better opportunities solely based on the class they are born into.
Being born into a wealthy family (of whatever class) also has it owns benefits but that is a separate issue.
Esceptico said:
There are two issues: class and wealth and although they sometimes coincide they don’t always.
My question was aimed at whether people support the class system where people are seen as better and have access to better opportunities solely based on the class they are born into.
Being born into a wealthy family (of whatever class) also has it owns benefits but that is a separate issue.
I'm still not sure what your point is.My question was aimed at whether people support the class system where people are seen as better and have access to better opportunities solely based on the class they are born into.
Being born into a wealthy family (of whatever class) also has it owns benefits but that is a separate issue.
Obviously, people born into privilege are just lucky, and not better than anybody else. Just by living in a Western country, you have already won the lottery in terms of the life you are likely to lead. Talking about 'class' beyond that is nit-picking to the extreme.
Equally obviously, the ideal situation is where everybody lives a comfortable life, achieves to the totality of their potential, and dies happy and fulfilled.
But that currently doesn't happen. And realistically never will, so long as resources are limited and people are lazy. As it stands right now, people will always consume resources and will always need incentive to work. It's not a zero-sum game.
So are you asking what is the ideal way to optimise a society? Or are you just venting that it's not fair that some people have more than others?
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff