Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:It's official: back in recession | |
Posted by: | Stewart Dean | |
Date/Time: | 24/05/12 13:48:00 |
Susan, It's really not that simple. As the quality of life is raised in a country then the potential damage that can be caused by gaps between have and have nots are increased. Countries like China will eventually have to develop a welfare state in order to limit the potential gaps in society and the countless problems these cause. Currently these problems are massively misunderstood by those running on a right wing set of beliefs. The idea that people have and do not have based upon personal merit is often over blown when often it's down to heritage and family. Being privileged does not mean you are entitled to that privilege, and the same is true the other way around. There are good solid alternatives to the current welfare state as we know it but it requires people from all walks of life to realise that investing in society is as vital as investing in the roads - if not more so. In other countries they still use self supporting networks that have many positives but also potential negatives. Personally I think we have much to do to reach a new kind of society which has safety nets created in such a way that no one really wants to use them as a hammock - but then people can get used to most things. |