Monday, December 24, 2012

Economics and social interaction

"Man's economy is, as a rule, submerged in his social relations." - Karl Polanyi

from Capitalism takes Command: The social transformation of nineteenth-century America edited by Michael Zakim and Gary J. Kornblith

A quote to keep in mind as we head into 2013. We have spent the last year focusing on the view that there is large inequity and capitalism is bad. The rich are evil and should have their money taken away. The rich, however defined, should not be allowed to have their wealth and it is actually the work of others. 

There is a problem of inequity in the US and other countries, but forcing change in social relations will not provide us with a better economic system.  The solution to problems in the US is growth and opportunity and not fighting over what is viewed as a limited economic pie.

No comments: