Paradigms of Social Justice and Obligation

V. Institutionalization of inequality

    Inequality, poverty, discrimination, and like social ills are universally denounced, fought, and legislated against, yet have grown worse in this country in the past 25 years. These problems are not new, and all the critical analysis will not be reviewed here. [Murray] It would seem though that if all the best intentions have not helped, the problems are systemic or institutionalized. Judicial institutions are notorious for socioeconomic and racial bias. [Reiman, Hinds, Spence] Legislatures are rich mens' clubs - of, by, and for the rich people. [Karp] The ruling administration exists for patronage with the bureaucracy committed to benefitting the aristocratic power blocks they represent. [Burch, Peters] The regulatory system exists to rationalize the economy for the benefit of the largest, oligopolistic corporations. [Kolko,1984] In the mid-sixties America seems to have passed a turning point in "free-enterprise and competition" when the productive economy was overwhelmed by the "distractive", parasitic, fiat economy of the State. [Dumas]   A distractive economy slights consumer, market forces. A corporatist society of rigid hierarchies and centralized, unaccountable, trickle-down funding is dependent upon the whims of the powerful. Such a society is hardly conducive to equal opportunity.

    More to the point, a whole mindset is cultivated to justify this deplorable state - of greed, success-at-all-costs, blind consumerism, envy and respect for the wealthy and powerful. A work ethic which may once have motivated productivity, now only distracts from the reality of unearned privilege and corrupt gains. The predominant paradigm not only worships the rich, but degrades the poor, who are accused of laziness, stupidity, or criminality. The widespread belief that the government is trying to combat the problem is itself part of the problem - by distracting attention from the abundant disproving facts. [Murray] Not only have the "best intentions" gone awry, but the rhetoric and programs (to treat only symptoms) serve as distraction - guaranteed to fail, even exacerbate the systemic problems. [Kolko, Zinn]

    Materialistic beliefs and institutionalized greed should not be so surprising. But admitting what motivations of individuals cause them is carefully avoided. If kith and kin receive first priority, how can the sum total of every individual's selfishness and favoritism not be institutionalized greed? Any excuse is eagerly grabbed to justify discrimination. Social welfare policies are advocated by politicians and bureaucrats for entirely selfish reasons - otherwise they might care for the policies to succeed. Most of their constituents vote for the beneficence because the policies seem not to affect them. Conversely, they vote against if they do feel affected, as in poorer. Many have pointed out before though that welfare must fail because it diminishes individual "incentive" (read, "selfishness"). In other words, human nature behaves despite all the beliefs and rhetoric about beneficence and altruism.

    The first rule of business profit-making is to decrease competition and gain unfair advantage - the "role" of the corporate individual in a government rationalized economy. Such a strategy is like territoriality in the marketplace. Territoriality is a claim to resources adequate to survive and prosper; The "defended land" is a share of the market. Monopolistic strategies would protect market share. Marketing networks and buyer contacts would be vigorously pursued and defended to shut out competitors. Work relationships would tend to relegate the employed to "his place" so as not to become competitive with his employers. Special interests would use government policy to inhibit new businesses and (less powerful) competitors. These are common features of the American economy. [Kolko]

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