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That's an old debate, are businesses more effective than governments at taking people out of poverty? I don't think people will ever agree on that, I believe bu

That's an old debate, are businesses more effective than governments at taking people out of poverty? I don't think people will ever agree on that, I believe businesses are more effective for the simple reason that they create things of value that people want to buy and work for, unlike governments. It could also be said that although businesses primary motive is making money and not helping the poor, a politician's primary motive is getting elected and helping himself, his party, his cronies, his electors and than at the bottom of the list comes the poor. So don't be naive either in believing politicians have better motives and are more efficient at pulling the poor out of misery.

bottled_poe 12y ago
> businesses are more effective for the simple reason that they create things of value that people want to buy and work for, unlike governments. Not sure about you, but I can think of a few minor things provided by government which some people might value: 1. Social order 2. A legal system 3. Safety and security services 4. Political representation at a national level 5. An education system 6. Public transportation network 7. Medical services It is absurd to dismiss government as having no value to society. Without government you would barely have a society.
- patrickaljord 11y ago
  You're right, government does create value, sorry if what I said wasn't very clear. What I meant was the last part of the sentence, private enterprise creates things people want to buy, willingly so, government create things people are forced to buy by law, by the power of guns. As for what you listed, many of these services could be provided by private enterprise and are in many country, successfully so, in fact more so than in the US.
Trombone12 12y ago
I agree that (some) people will probably never agree on the government vs private enterprise debate, but I will point out that prior to the welfare state and world war 2 wealth inequality was either high or growing rapidly: these are the historical facts. So from history we learn that private enterprise reduces relative poverty primarily by destroying the capital of the wealthiest, not by distributing or generating wealth in the poorest part of the population. Also to claim that governments that produces such things as the law, education systems, and national defence have no valuable products is a bit odd.
- patrickaljord 11y ago
  I don't think inequality is a problem, when people are completely free to exploit their full potential to succeed in life, this means some people will do way better than others. I'm very bad at playing the piano, basketball, painting of creating huge corporations, some people are very good at those things and a free economy allows them to do so. Good for them. As for inequalities being a problem, as long as the quality of life improves for all, I don't see where's the problem. The poorest in America live longer and are more educated than the richest men in the world less than a century ago. Not bad. > Also to claim that governments that produces such things as the law, education systems, and national defence have no valuable products is a bit odd. If it's so valuable then why force people to pay for it? Nobody was ever forced to buy an iphone or a volkswagen. Anyway, my point is that government is not synonymous with goodness and corporations evil, which was parent's point. Both are made up of people who usually are not evil.

bottled_poe 12y ago

> businesses are more effective for the simple reason that they create things of value that people want to buy and work for, unlike governments. Not sure about you, but I can think of a few minor things provided by government which some people might value: 1. Social order 2. A legal system 3. Safety and security services 4. Political representation at a national level 5. An education system 6. Public transportation network 7. Medical services It is absurd to dismiss government as having no value to society. Without government you would barely have a society.

patrickaljord 11y ago
You're right, government does create value, sorry if what I said wasn't very clear. What I meant was the last part of the sentence, private enterprise creates things people want to buy, willingly so, government create things people are forced to buy by law, by the power of guns. As for what you listed, many of these services could be provided by private enterprise and are in many country, successfully so, in fact more so than in the US.

Trombone12 12y ago

I agree that (some) people will probably never agree on the government vs private enterprise debate, but I will point out that prior to the welfare state and world war 2 wealth inequality was either high or growing rapidly: these are the historical facts. So from history we learn that private enterprise reduces relative poverty primarily by destroying the capital of the wealthiest, not by distributing or generating wealth in the poorest part of the population. Also to claim that governments that produces such things as the law, education systems, and national defence have no valuable products is a bit odd.

patrickaljord 11y ago
I don't think inequality is a problem, when people are completely free to exploit their full potential to succeed in life, this means some people will do way better than others. I'm very bad at playing the piano, basketball, painting of creating huge corporations, some people are very good at those things and a free economy allows them to do so. Good for them. As for inequalities being a problem, as long as the quality of life improves for all, I don't see where's the problem. The poorest in America live longer and are more educated than the richest men in the world less than a century ago. Not bad. > Also to claim that governments that produces such things as the law, education systems, and national defence have no valuable products is a bit odd. If it's so valuable then why force people to pay for it? Nobody was ever forced to buy an iphone or a volkswagen. Anyway, my point is that government is not synonymous with goodness and corporations evil, which was parent's point. Both are made up of people who usually are not evil.