I've been a little absorbed in social freedoms, libertarian V authoritarian political themed literature over the past few months, and it has got me thinking...
The problem with capitalism is that it best rewards the worst part of us: the ruthless, competitive, cunning, opportunistic, aquisitive drives, giving little reward and often much punishment - or at least much handicap - to honesty, compassion, fair play, many forms of hard work, love of justice, and a concern for those in need.
I'm not a Communist. I don't believe it works. I don't believe it works because I believe people like to own things, and as Hugo says, "equal partition abolishes emulation...and ultimately labour." Hugo sums sums up the fiscal and social dilemma of nations beautifully in Les Miserables - you can have a read here. (As an aside, people often ask me to recommend them a great book - Les Mis is the one tome I truly believe everyone should read at least once before they die - it will reshape the way you look at the world.)
So then, the question I pose is this: How do we get by; how do we prosper socially, responsibly, freely in this crazy old world?
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