Celebrate the Diversity

Hello friends,

Today I'd like to offer a little food for thought.  A friend recently shared with me his belief that a capitalist society celebrates diversity whereas a socialist one creates uniformity.  I spent the past few days thinking about this statement, and I've come up with the following.

In a capitalist society, anyone can make money if they have an unusual, useful talent.  I don't mean to say that any unusual talent will do; I haven't found anyone yet willing to pay me for my double-jointed thumbs.  I also don't mean to imply that a talent has to be extremely rare, though the rarer it is the more of a premium one can charge.

In a socialist society, the government provides everyone with the same standards of education, health care, etc, regardless of their employment status, talents, personality traits, etc.  Many such countries have flat tax rates, which are often extremely high to pay for the aforementioned government services.  I'm not positive of the current situation, but when I was in Vienna in 2003, the Austrian tax rate was over 70% (for everyone).  In addition, the governments often set strict 'working hours', designating evenings and such as family time.  Try shopping in most of Europe on a Sunday; you won't buy much.

Logically, then, someone with special talents can aquire far more wealth in a capitalist economy than in a socialist one.  But how does this relate to diversity versus uniformity?  I prefer to answer the question with a question.  If you have a choice between (a) studying for many years, practicing to be the best, toiling through the nights to pass exams or auditions, and (b) going through a month or a year of training to learn a common trade, which factor will be most influential in your decision?

For me, the greatest factor will be the rewards of the efforts.  If my work will be rewarded in nearly the same manner either way, I will take the easier path.  I don't live for recognition and accolades, though I certainly enjoy them when I've worked hard and deserve them.  Mostly, I enjoy that they usually come with some sort of fiscal compensation, such as a pay raise or a bonus.  Sometimes they come with additional paid time off, which is always nice.

I have yet to discover some special talent within myself that will put me at the top of a field, so I must accept that I will likely never make the kind of money that would move me into the "ultra rich" category.  Without earning that level of income, there are few differences in my quality of life once the basics are covered by the government.  Why, then, would I spend my time and energy to differentiate myself to my peers or employer?

While I recognize that there is a difference in keeping 30% of $100,000 and 30% of $50,000, you have to look at the overall difference in quality of life.  In a capitalist society, we suffer the consequences of our choices.  Theoretically, we each try to make the best choices we can so we can lead the best life available to us.  Some people will never try, no matter what carrot you dangle in front of them, and that is their choice; the consequences should be theirs, too.    In a socialist society, we only suffer some of the consequences of our choices.  If you don't work as hard or your job doesn't pay as much, then you have less money to spend on certain things.  Your overall quality of life, though, isn't much different than the guy who busts his tail all day or the lady who can do a job only 5% of the entire world's population can even understand.

In short, I agree with my friend.  It is always easier to do something that has been done a thousand times before, so if the incentive to differentiate is reduced, people will naturally take the path of least resistance toward conformity.  In my opinion, that is a great loss for this old world.  It is the unique potential of each human that makes us a special species.  Each person holds within himself the seed of greatness, but without the proper encouragement, it will never grow.  Water your seeds, friends, and put them under the light.  You might find you have a special talent, and then you might find someone willing to pay you for it.  Ask yourself this: would you tell them you'll only take 30% of what they offer?

Until tomorrow,
MK