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The more your economy relies on creativity and education of the workforce the less productive a slave will become compared to a free man. So yes, economies rel

The more your economy relies on creativity and education of the workforce the less productive a slave will become compared to a free man. So yes, economies relying on slave labor can outcompete our economies in sectors where masses of low skilled labor are required (because of the lower price), but once these economies move up and require highly skilled labor they'll usually get into trouble.

api 10y ago
There's an easy solution to that: create a caste system and ensure that knowledge workers (who are willing to tow the line) belong to the upper caste. Of course it's a Faustian bargain, but just make sure it's a cushy enough deal with the devil and nobody complains. It need not be codified into law. It can be accomplished by way of a severe wealth disparity, a glass ceiling, stratification of housing, stratification of education, etc., and a legal system that treats upper class people significantly better than lower class ones. Everyone is technically a citizen subject to the same laws but in practice a different set of laws apply to you based on your wealth, occupation, connections, and what neighborhood you live in. Edit: yes the US is a bit like this, but you can take it a lot further.
- madelinecameron 10y ago
  Gosh, that sounds a really terrible place to live. So glad the US isn't like that...
- hx87 10y ago
  > ensure that knowledge workers (who are willing to tow the line) If you're a semi-meritocratic secular authoritarian state like China that isn't too difficult. If you're a religious conservative authoritarian state, that's close to impossible. Knowledge workers are willing to live with authoritarianism as long as it doesn't overly restrict their personal lives and interactions, and religious conservatism is all about restricting personal lives and interactions.
- infinite8s 10y ago
  That sounds like the world of Hunger Games.

api 10y ago

There's an easy solution to that: create a caste system and ensure that knowledge workers (who are willing to tow the line) belong to the upper caste. Of course it's a Faustian bargain, but just make sure it's a cushy enough deal with the devil and nobody complains. It need not be codified into law. It can be accomplished by way of a severe wealth disparity, a glass ceiling, stratification of housing, stratification of education, etc., and a legal system that treats upper class people significantly better than lower class ones. Everyone is technically a citizen subject to the same laws but in practice a different set of laws apply to you based on your wealth, occupation, connections, and what neighborhood you live in. Edit: yes the US is a bit like this, but you can take it a lot further.

madelinecameron 10y ago
Gosh, that sounds a really terrible place to live. So glad the US isn't like that...
hx87 10y ago
> ensure that knowledge workers (who are willing to tow the line) If you're a semi-meritocratic secular authoritarian state like China that isn't too difficult. If you're a religious conservative authoritarian state, that's close to impossible. Knowledge workers are willing to live with authoritarianism as long as it doesn't overly restrict their personal lives and interactions, and religious conservatism is all about restricting personal lives and interactions.
infinite8s 10y ago
That sounds like the world of Hunger Games.