3 ms·

As a thought experiment; how about taking some inspiration from Georgism to try to make capitalism better live up to its ideals: At least in America, many of t

As a thought experiment; how about taking some inspiration from Georgism to try to make capitalism better live up to its ideals: At least in America, many of the wealthy are able to make money due to inherited resources that they did not earn. For example, their ancestors claimed a tract of land or access to a natural resource. Therefore, Capitalism could be brought more in line with the meritocracy that it claims to be if we taxed on the unimproved value of these resources and potentially on profit gained by rent seeking Capitalism claims the revolve around people freely exchanging their labor for pay. However, since most people do not have access to the resources or capital to support themselves (often due to the resources already having been claimed by someone else's ancestors) they aren't really entering into the exchange freely. Therefore, Capitalism could be brought more in line with its stated libertarian principles by using the proceeds of the previously mentioned taxes to provide people without those resources with the ability to support themselves independently. This could potentially take the form of capital grants, education, farm land. If it weren't possible to actually give people a reasonable opportunity to support themselves, then a guaranteed minimum income could also address the issue (although I don't think its as good of a solution).

tathougies 7y ago
Rubbish. My parents, aunts, and uncles came to this country with nothing in the 80s. Their old country didnt let them export cash. My dad was literally forced to work for below minimum wage for many yeara illegally. All of them now own houses, multiple parcels of land, and their children have access to all the supposedly 'claimed' resources. The american dream is alive and well. I work with many many immigrants and their children all of whom put themselves on the path to success. The fact is most 'americans' whose families have been here for many generations are completely lazy and entitled. They want privileges they have not yet earned that they enjoyed while living with mom and dad.
- notfromhere 7y ago
  Eh, might have worked out for your family, but statistics don't bear it out.
  - tathougies 7y ago
    I mean, it works for everyone, most people (usually native born Americans, because immigrants tend to do very well) just don't want it, and say so via their actions.

tathougies 7y ago

Rubbish. My parents, aunts, and uncles came to this country with nothing in the 80s. Their old country didnt let them export cash. My dad was literally forced to work for below minimum wage for many yeara illegally. All of them now own houses, multiple parcels of land, and their children have access to all the supposedly 'claimed' resources. The american dream is alive and well. I work with many many immigrants and their children all of whom put themselves on the path to success. The fact is most 'americans' whose families have been here for many generations are completely lazy and entitled. They want privileges they have not yet earned that they enjoyed while living with mom and dad.

notfromhere 7y ago
Eh, might have worked out for your family, but statistics don't bear it out.
- tathougies 7y ago
  I mean, it works for everyone, most people (usually native born Americans, because immigrants tend to do very well) just don't want it, and say so via their actions.