Karl Marx obviously thought capitalism was a curse and considered that wealth should be controlled by the state for the benefit of all. But in an imperfect world communism failed to deliver and has virtually ceased to exist. Communism and capitalism are based on envy and greed respectively. In this article we will look at the plus side, and the negative side, of capitalism and ask the question, “is there a better way”?
Historical Inequality and the Future
In the United Kingdom we have been suffering years of recession. But the richest amongst us have suffered no loss of life-style. In fact the top 100 chief executives were paid £425 million in 2012, up by £45 million, or 10%, from 2011. (London Evening Standard 10th June 2013)
At the same time, state benefits are being cut, millions of workers subsist on the minimum wage or ‘zero hours contracts’, many people have seen no increase in wages for years, and inflation eats into the spending power of those at the bottom of the income divide. The wealth gap between rich and poor is increasing in the United Kingdom, and in fact all over the world.
Throughout history there has always been a measure of inequality – sometimes worse than at other times. Much of what follows is written from a U.K. perspective, but other readers will find parallels in their own history and development.
Hunter-Gatherers in the Stone Age
At this stage of human development, inequality would probably be at its lowest, though a skilled hunter would obviously bring more meat home for his family. But for much hunting, cooperation would have been needed, increasing the fairness of society. Hopefully the disabled and sick would be cared for. Even then a more successful tribe might seek to plunder from a weaker tribe. But people living then had a hard life, and were totally susceptible to disease, causing low life expectancy.
A Feudal or Peasant System
In medieval England, the vast majority of people were serfs, or virtually slaves to the Lord of the Manor. Continue reading “Historical Inequality and the Future”
A fairer distribution of wealth
There can be no doubt that, in this world, there are gross injustices in the way wealth is distributed. There is a factor of millions between the billionaire living in California and the subsistence farmer in Africa trying to support her family on a dollar a day. In this article I am presenting the case for a world in which there is a fairer distribution of wealth both domestically and internationally.
Absolute income or wealth equality may not be possible to achieve and is probably not desirable. But I am concerned that in most countries around the world, the gap between rich and poor is getting wider, and no-one knows when it will stop. Ultimately, the wealth of the whole world could be in the hands of a single person! Continue reading “A fairer distribution of wealth”
Tolerance and understanding
When I was involved in local politics, people of other political parties were automatically regarded as misguided, to be pitied, despised or just plain stupid. Arrogance was common and I had to struggle not to be taken up by the prevailing attitudes and struggle to avoid that way of thinking. The fact is, that I have met some lovely people, whose political views may be offensive at times, but who really care about the community.
Learning tolerance is a process for me. It does not mean that I need to compromise my own views, but I must be ready to see other people’s point of view even if I can’t agree with them.
What is true of politics is also true of different belief systems concerning God. I was brought up to believe that other religions were evil, and people who do not believe in God at all were stupid. I now try to be more tolerant and more understanding of other people. Continue reading “Tolerance and understanding”
Mahatma Gandhi – one of my Heroes
Gandhi is one of my heroes. I use the word “heroes” with caution. No one is perfect and we can be tempted to idolise. But there can be no doubt that Mahatma Gandhi was a remarkable man. People have written books about him, many films have been made about him including the well-known film directed by Richard Attenborough.
I will not attempt to retell the story but wish to explain why he is one of my heroes and to see what we can learn from him. Continue reading “Mahatma Gandhi – one of my Heroes”
Handing on the Baton
None of us is immortal. Leaving aside the question of what happens when we die; the fact is that we will all leave this life someday. We have opportunities to build something in our lifetime. It may be a family, a business, a church, a ministry or a charity. When we arrive towards the end of our current existence we may well feel that there is unfinished business but sooner or later we have the opportunity to pass responsibility onto the next generation.
- How tragic it would be if for instance a businessman wishing to pass an inheritance on to his children held the running of the business so closely to himself that upon his death nobody could pick up the reins and the inheritance was worthless.
- The workings of a charity could be so dependent on one person, probably the founder, that when he was no longer able to work for the cause, the charity collapsed.
- Similarly, a church could be built on the gifts of a single charismatic individual so that upon his demise people drifted away leaving only a shadow behind. Continue reading “Handing on the Baton”
The Causes and Results of Poverty
I have travelled to many countries and seen poverty wherever I have been. Even in ‘developed’ countries like the United States or the United Kingdom the curse of poverty still blights the human race. Poverty is often unseen and definitely not photogenic. A tourist in Sri Lanka for instance may not see real poverty at all: but look along the river banks and other places and you will see people living a marginal existence.
There is no simple answer to the question, “What causes poverty?” As we think about the causes of poverty we also need to think about the results, the effects and the symptoms of poverty. In many cases the result of poverty is to cause yet more poverty. So in practice it is difficult to distinguish between the causes and the symptoms of poverty. Continue reading “The Causes and Results of Poverty”
Empathy and Compassion
Most of my blog postings have been about passing on information. Communication is mainly mind-to-mind. I have used words, figures and pictures. But I do not just wish to supply information, I want you to capture something of my heart, and through that, the heart of God.
I need a form of communication which is heart-to-heart rather than just mind-to-mind.
- If I was a poet, I could use poetry.
- If I was an artist I could use paintings or photographs.
- If I was a musician I could use music.
Compassion and Justice 