The people on this list are opposed to the existing economic order. Is the opposition endogenous or exogenous?
David Shemano --- Original Message--- To: [email protected] From: Jim Devine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: 10/28/2005 3:16PM Subject: Re: [PEN-L] NC economics >> I wrote: >>> The difference between a market economy and a >> (democratic) socialist one is that the market works according to "one >> dollar, one vote," so that the wealthy dominate, while a d.s. economy >> should work according to "one person, one vote," so that the >> principle of democratic popular sovereignty dominates. Of course, >> neither pure case has been seen in the real world.<<< >> >> On 10/28/05, David B. Shemano wrote: >> > But how does this help to explain your original statement that "most if >> > not all of >> 'unlimited wants' behavior is due to sociological forces that NC economics >> explicitly >> excludes from analysis?" < >> >> it's a different question. This tread meandered a lot. I thought I >> explained the "unlimited wants" behavior before. Then you asked about >> socialism vs. the "market economy." >> >> to repeat what I said, the "unlimited wants" behavior is encouraged by >> >> (1) [Hirsch-type relative competition] people comparing themselves to >> each other, judging their "success" or worth relative to others. If >> you think that "he who dies with the most toys wins" then you can >> never be satisfied -- your wants seem to be unlimited -- because >> others are accumulating toys in the same way. >> >> (2) [sociological side] this kind of consumerist/competitive attitude >> is encouraged by schools, advertising, a lot of other social >> institutions, including markets themselves. On the last, the market >> judges "success" according to how much your net worth is, but your >> success at keeping your net worth up is always being undermined by >> competition, so you have to keep struggling. (This hits businesses >> much more than individuals & households, because the latter are also >> influenced by traditions and community.) >> >> > Is your point that (1) actual tastes of actual individuals will be >> > different based upon >> the form of the economcy, or that (2) the tastes will be similar, but the >> expression of >> those tastes as manifested in the output of the economy will be different >> because of >> the differing power structure?< >> >> both. >> >> > Are you saying that people have unlimited wants in a market economy, but >> > not in a >> socialist economcy.? Or there are unlimited wants in both a market and >> socialist >> economies, but the unlimited wants will be different?< >> >> The wrong kind of socialist economy might encourage "unlimited wants" >> behavior. The things that are wanted might differ from under >> capitalism, though. >> >> -- >> Jim Devine >> "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let >> people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante. >> >> >>
