The stores have been closed. Offices were shuttered and everyone was advised to stay home. No work. Jobs were not open. Employment was limited to a few areas and industries that were considered (whether they were on not) essential. Grocery stores, restaurants, home repair stores and gun shops were some of the few commercial establishments allowed to operate. Hospital and doctor's offices were open but limited to treating the victims of the epidemic.
Money was dumped into the coffers of corporate entities. Small businesses got a few bones. Idle workers were deemed eligible for unemployment based on the widespread impact of the shutdown. Also, the unemployment benefits so liberally and generously granted were enhanced to provide the ability to function at a minimal level. With so many families highly leveraged the ability to keep up with all of the debt service, in addition to the household operating expenses, was non-existent.
We are getting ready for the savage social darwinism of a selfish, self-interested, highly individualistic cultural creature that will gnaw its own leg off to free itself from economic devastation or an enlightened turn toward cooperation, collaboration, social support and inclusion that bring the economic sphere of the society to heel in service of the social sphere. Whether we call it socialism, communism or gentle capitalism, it will attempt to provide the greatest good for the greatest number or it will be scapegoating and slow descent into disorder for all of us.
The theories of Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkhiem all offer perspectives into human behavior. Smith and Weber focus on individual choice, personal behavior and economicus. Marx and Durkheim focus on institutional accountability, collective action and 'weconomicus.'
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for paying attention.