Social Inequality

[Yurt]

Social Inequality.


What is it?

Does it exist?

If so:

What then?

[avatar4321]

i think it exists

I also think alot of it is of our own making. We have skills we use or dont use. We determine much or our own life.

People who refuse to take responsibility for themselves will always be less equal because they will not reach a fraction of their potential.

[Yurt]

i think it exists

I also think alot of it is of our own making. We have skills we use or dont use. We determine much or our own life.

People who refuse to take responsibility for themselves will always be less equal because they will not reach a fraction of their potential.


Exactly. Why is it that those who succeed and make money, perhaps alot more than "most" of us make, give their hard work to those that did not work as hard as they did?

An "equal" life:

Is it owed to us?

Is it possible on this planet?

If not:

Why the attempt to make things QUOTE equal UNQUOTE

[avatar4321]

Exactly. Why is it that those who succeed and make money, perhaps alot more than "most" of us make, give their hard work to those that did not work as hard as they did?

An "equal" life:

Is it owed to us?

Is it possible on this planet?

If not:

Why the attempt to make things QUOTE equal UNQUOTE

I think alot of people try to define rich as solely those people like teddy kennedy or Paris hilton who are spoiled out of touch people that really dont know a thing about hard work. So they think its unfair.

honestly, i dont think its unfair at all. Id rather work for what I get... Id be scared if i was like those spoiled rich people.

[MtnBiker]

Exactly. Why is it that those who succeed and make money, perhaps alot more than "most" of us make, give their hard work to those that did not work as hard as they did?

An "equal" life:

Is it owed to us?

Is it possible on this planet?

If not:

Why the attempt to make things QUOTE equal UNQUOTE
No an equal life is not "owed" to us and is not possible. Why the attempt to make things equal? There is a lot of political power in promising to mass people equality at the expense of others.

[Said1]

People aren't equal. Humans are naturally competative, regardless of socio-economic conditions. Forcing equality in (at least the west) just won't work, look at Russia, the failed Utopia.

[Pale Rider]

Social Inequality.


What is it?

Does it exist?

If so:

What then?

Two words... "paris hilton."

[Hobbit]

Paris Hilton is an acceptable consequence of allowing free will to control the market. The alternative is Socialism.

In answer to the original questions:

What is it? As best as I can tell, social inequality is what happens when some people have things and other people can't have those same things.

Does it exist? Yes

What then? It's a natural consequence of our world, and while many systems claim to be able to change that, there will always be haves and have nots. Even if you somehow got rid of that, what you'd create is an entire society of have nots.

An "equal" life:

Is it owed us? Hell no. Your parents owe you an upbringing, but that's the only thing the world owes you. Everything else is either earned or a gift.

Is it possible on this planet? No. Even if you managed to eliminate economic 'inequality,' there would still be the power struggle.

Why attempt to make things "equal?" Either because you think you've got wealth envy or you think you can gain power from promising the have-nots 'equality.'

In the end, if all the resources in the world were distributed equally throughout the world, given enough time, they'd be right back where they are now. Good habits make wealth, not luck.

[Yurt]

Paris Hilton is an acceptable consequence of allowing free will to control the market. The alternative is Socialism.

In answer to the original questions:

What is it? As best as I can tell, social inequality is what happens when some people have things and other people can't have those same things.

Does it exist? Yes

What then? It's a natural consequence of our world, and while many systems claim to be able to change that, there will always be haves and have nots. Even if you somehow got rid of that, what you'd create is an entire society of have nots.

An "equal" life:

Is it owed us? Hell no. Your parents owe you an upbringing, but that's the only thing the world owes you. Everything else is either earned or a gift.

Is it possible on this planet? No. Even if you managed to eliminate economic 'inequality,' there would still be the power struggle.

Why attempt to make things "equal?" Either because you think you've got wealth envy or you think you can gain power from promising the have-nots 'equality.'

In the end, if all the resources in the world were distributed equally throughout the world, given enough time, they'd be right back where they are now. Good habits make wealth, not luck.

That was a very good post. I agree on everything. PH is a by product of capitalism, ah, another thread.... Your last paragraph really sums it up. On a planet that is not perfect, competition is the best way to make things work. People bitch and moan about "capitalism" but, it has been going for thousands of years on many different guises. The merchant economy has been with us since the beginning. So has the struggle for those that do not have to make those that have "give" to them. I think people are being shortsighted when they make this about the current government and this great country. Look at China. Even they recognize the power of merchants.

FYI:

I am reading "When Atlas Shrugged" (http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145) right now and it has certainly given me many questions and thoughts and wanted to pose them on this board as I almost always get great answers to my questions.

I have NOT finished it so no spoilers.... :)

[glockmail]

Social Inequality.


What is it?

Does it exist?

If so:

What then?

Of course it exists. That's why we cherish the individuals who rise so far above it, despite long odds. Take Condi Rice and Tiger Woods as perfect examples.

[Yurt]

Of course it exists. That's why we cherish the individuals who rise so far above it, despite long odds. Take Condi Rice and Tiger Woods as perfect examples.

I would say that is NOT inequality. They chose to rise above and make themselves.

[glockmail]

I would say that is NOT inequality. They chose to rise above and make themselves. I don't understand where you are coming from. They were born into situations very much unlike their counterparts, vast odds against them.

[Hugh Lincoln]

Social inequality is the result of human inequality. Human beings and human groups (including races and the sexes) are INHERENTLY unequal. Therefore, there will be different levels of achievement, wealth, status, etc. Some societies will be richer than others. Some races will do better. And so on.

The demand for "equality" is an attempt at theft: If you are capable of making 10 units and I am capable of making 20, your demand that we both get 15 is essentially you stealing 5 from me.

[Yurt]

I don't understand where you are coming from. They were born into situations very much unlike their counterparts, vast odds against them.

I think we are misunderstanding about starting points.

My premise for the thread was the "unequal" in terms of the rich and favored that so many complain about.

If I am reading you right, you are saying that there is an inequality that is different from that. Not sure. Their natural talent? If so, I think we are talking of the same thing.

[glockmail]

I think we are misunderstanding about starting points.

My premise for the thread was the "unequal" in terms of the rich and favored that so many complain about.

If I am reading you right, you are saying that there is an inequality that is different from that. Not sure. Their natural talent? If so, I think we are talking of the same thing.

I think there are all types of social inequality.
1. Racial or ethinc (as I have pointed out by example).
2. Family weath or status.
3. "not from around here"

[glockmail]

Social inequality is the result of human inequality. Human beings and human groups (including races and the sexes) are INHERENTLY unequal. Therefore, there will be different levels of achievement, wealth, status, etc. Some societies will be richer than others. Some races will do better. And so on.

The demand for "equality" is an attempt at theft: If you are capable of making 10 units and I am capable of making 20, your demand that we both get 15 is essentially you stealing 5 from me.

I agree 10% with the second part but for the first, the Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. This fact is self evident. I believe that.