http://www.sellingwaves.com/2007/10/13/the-genealogy-of-envy/ A graduate student in mathematics and a modern languages major take on politics and culture with the following aspirational motto: ‘Deregulate your mind.’ Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:46:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 http://www.sellingwaves.com/2007/10/13/the-genealogy-of-envy/#comment-62936 Curt Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:20:30 +0000 http://www.sellingwaves.com/2007/10/13/the-genealogy-of-envy/#comment-62936 <p>Well, insofar as the desire for dominance is a basic element of human psychology, one should to see evidence of it in any society. But in reality the European welfare state is not really that different from the American variety, and certainly incalculably more similar to it than to North Korea. Europeans in general are perhaps arguably a bit more desirous of economic equality and opposed to conspicuous wealth than Americans, and perhaps as a result have a slightly more trusting, dependent attitude toward government, but the situation doesn't really challenge the basic assumptions underlying modern liberal economic thinking the way a society like North Korea seems to (although I'm by no means presenting myself as an expert on North Korea). In essence in Western societies government serves in part to redistribute wealth to increase economic equality, whereas in North Korea it seems to do the exact opposite.</p> Well, insofar as the desire for dominance is a basic element of human psychology, one should to see evidence of it in any society. But in reality the European welfare state is not really that different from the American variety, and certainly incalculably more similar to it than to North Korea. Europeans in general are perhaps arguably a bit more desirous of economic equality and opposed to conspicuous wealth than Americans, and perhaps as a result have a slightly more trusting, dependent attitude toward government, but the situation doesn’t really challenge the basic assumptions underlying modern liberal economic thinking the way a society like North Korea seems to (although I’m by no means presenting myself as an expert on North Korea). In essence in Western societies government serves in part to redistribute wealth to increase economic equality, whereas in North Korea it seems to do the exact opposite.

]]> http://www.sellingwaves.com/2007/10/13/the-genealogy-of-envy/#comment-62896 Dave Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:43:48 +0000 http://www.sellingwaves.com/2007/10/13/the-genealogy-of-envy/#comment-62896 <p>This situation is ironic for a society like North Korea based on egalitarianism as socialism is. The usual explanation for privation is it is temporary while utopia is achieved or reactive due to external or internal enemies. In an entirely centralized economy scarcity and hence privilege are inevitable. A capitalistic economy eventually brings about wealth but not equality. The thought that inequality is maintained on purpose is interesting and probably does help the feeling of well being of the ruling class. It has the down side of creating a sense of guilt, so this has to be addressed by some ideology which varies from society to society and changes with time. What about Europe, where everyone has a lot of government care for their personal needs? How does your theory apply?</p> This situation is ironic for a society like North Korea based on egalitarianism as socialism is. The usual explanation for privation is it is temporary while utopia is achieved or reactive due to external or internal enemies. In an entirely centralized economy scarcity and hence privilege are inevitable. A capitalistic economy eventually brings about wealth but not equality. The thought that inequality is maintained on purpose is interesting and probably does help the feeling of well being of the ruling class. It has the down side of creating a sense of guilt, so this has to be addressed by some ideology which varies from society to society and changes with time. What about Europe, where everyone has a lot of government care for their personal needs? How does your theory apply?

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