Comments on: Beware of Geese Bearing Gold http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/06/golden_goose_or.html The Law, the Universe, and Everything Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:44:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: David http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/06/golden_goose_or.html/comment-page-1#comment-53584 David Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:45:58 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2007/06/beware-of-geese-bearing-gold.html#comment-53584 Those who like to claim that there's a strict tradeoff between equality and efficiency conveintly ignore just about every economy in Asia. Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, etc. have all enjoyed rapid economic growth, but also maintained a strong social safety net and commitment to equality. Even in Europe, Norway has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world (higher than the US), but is still maintains a very smooth distribution of income (Gini coefficient of 25.8). Ireland, the Celtic Tiger, enjoyed some of the most rapid economic growth in the world over the last decade, but sports a healthy Gini coefficient of 34.3--far better than the US's 40.8. Anyone who claims that there is a strict tradeoff between overall efficiency and equality needs to put up or shut up. Lazily waiving one's hand at the 1970s isn't going to cut it. Those who like to claim that there’s a strict tradeoff between equality and efficiency conveintly ignore just about every economy in Asia. Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Korea, Singapore, etc. have all enjoyed rapid economic growth, but also maintained a strong social safety net and commitment to equality. Even in Europe, Norway has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world (higher than the US), but is still maintains a very smooth distribution of income (Gini coefficient of 25.8).

Ireland, the Celtic Tiger, enjoyed some of the most rapid economic growth in the world over the last decade, but sports a healthy Gini coefficient of 34.3–far better than the US’s 40.8.

Anyone who claims that there is a strict tradeoff between overall efficiency and equality needs to put up or shut up. Lazily waiving one’s hand at the 1970s isn’t going to cut it.

]]> By: Frank http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/06/golden_goose_or.html/comment-page-1#comment-53583 Frank Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:22:14 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2007/06/beware-of-geese-bearing-gold.html#comment-53583 I think I'd be more accepting of the inequality trends if it weren't for commodification entering more and more realms of life. Since you mentioned Gates, let's take Microsoft as an example. If that company does far, far better than its competitors, it also accumulates a "war chest" to influence public policy--as seen in this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/business/10microsoft.html In general, extraordinary wealth does not harm you, until you bump into someone far richer than you who is effectively "bidding" for the same resource. If natural resources become scarcer, that could be happening more and more often. I think I’d be more accepting of the inequality trends if it weren’t for commodification entering more and more realms of life. Since you mentioned Gates, let’s take Microsoft as an example. If that company does far, far better than its competitors, it also accumulates a “war chest” to influence public policy–as seen in this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/business/10microsoft.html

In general, extraordinary wealth does not harm you, until you bump into someone far richer than you who is effectively “bidding” for the same resource. If natural resources become scarcer, that could be happening more and more often.

]]> By: Maryland Conservatarian http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2007/06/golden_goose_or.html/comment-page-1#comment-53582 Maryland Conservatarian Tue, 12 Jun 2007 18:31:29 +0000 http://www.solove.org/archives/2007/06/beware-of-geese-bearing-gold.html#comment-53582 My problem with such analysis (esp. that commondreams.org one that Mr. Pasquale links to at the end) is the idea that tax rates - once established - somehow attach to all income, present and future. The government doesn't give income earners anything with a reduction in taxes - they're just not taking as much. I realize this is partly semantic but the language of the debate reflects a mindset...and the mindset of many on the left is they are not getting enough money to play with in Government. ...and were the stock market to absolutely collapse tomorrow such that Bill Gates and others were suddenly a lot closer to me in overall wealth - I'm still not sure just how that helps me, even though the trend of a widening wealth gap had been significantly altered My problem with such analysis (esp. that commondreams.org one that Mr. Pasquale links to at the end) is the idea that tax rates – once established – somehow attach to all income, present and future. The government doesn’t give income earners anything with a reduction in taxes – they’re just not taking as much.

I realize this is partly semantic but the language of the debate reflects a mindset…and the mindset of many on the left is they are not getting enough money to play with in Government.

…and were the stock market to absolutely collapse tomorrow such that Bill Gates and others were suddenly a lot closer to me in overall wealth – I’m still not sure just how that helps me, even though the trend of a widening wealth gap had been significantly altered

]]>