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MiddleClassCulpability 8 - 08 Feb 2010 - Main.JohnJeffcott
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| | The Culpability of the Middle Class
Too often in class, an important point that has been stifled before it can be developed is the culpability of the middle class for the woeful state of affairs in which our nation is currently mired. By this I do not mean that working-class Americans should take the brunt of the blame for the egregious wealth disparity that exists in our nation or the recent subprime mortgage crisis that has further driven hard-working individuals into financial ruin. That blame falls primarily on wealthy individuals who give little regard to the human beings their uninhibited wealth-acquisition harms. However, we would be remiss in not recognizing that some of the actors who executed these evils, like Charles Prince (one of the architects of the recent mortgage crisis), are products of the middle class themselves. | | | Taylor, thanks for the response. I think I misinterpreted your point on selfishness, reading it as a wider sense of class self-interest rather than an every man for himself mentality. Regardless, very thought-provoking.
-- EricaSelig - 08 Feb 2010 | |
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I certainly don't disagree with the point (as I understand it) that the current distribution of wealth can largely be explained by unthinking pursuit of self-interest on an individual level; but, to me, this is a feature more of American cultural ideals than a shortcoming of middle class foresight.
"Perhaps instead we could answer this question by criticizing a capitalist system that equates wealth with merit."
I think you drove the nail home here. We perpetuate the illusion of a meritocracy to our detriment, due I suppose to cultural/psychological needs to justify ourselves. If you've ever tried arguing with someone that they didn't earn their wealth or position in society, you probably know exactly how strong such needs can be.
My question for you is: Is this necessarily a bad thing? Perhaps to the rational person, living in/moving to America is like playing the lottery. You do it for the chance you could win big and hold on to those winnings at the expense of others; and you do so knowing full well that you're infinitely more likely to end up on the losing side of the bargain. True, this sort of argument presupposes that you have any other option, and as of now the game is rigged in certain populations' favors, but consider it abstractly.
The more we do to rid the country of inequality, the more we eviscerate this old "American dream"--for better or worse. If you think for better (as I do and I'd guess you do), where is the ideal balance between traditional American values and social justice/equality?
-- JohnJeffcott - 08 Feb 2010 | | |
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