[Reading Notes] Reflections on Success #7 How to rebuild the dignity of work for grassroots workers?

In the previous chapter, the author made recommendations for education. In Chapter 7, "Approval of Work", the author puts forward suggestions on work. The following will organize the content of Chapter 7. This is the last chapter of the book!

1. Problems faced by grassroots workers

1. Economic hardship

• Once upon a time: Living a middle-class life without a college degree
• Now: Globalization only pays off for the highly educated

2. Loss of dignity at work

• The jobs of the less educated are accused of being less important than those of the highly educated professionals

3. The image of grassroots white men is stigmatized

• Example: Blue-collar fathers are often portrayed on TV as useless scumbags trampled on by more capable and reasonable wives

The authors point out: "The liberal elite 'felt rightfully abhorrence of racism by lower-class whites' and condemned it. There was nothing wrong with doing so, but they didn't think of putting 'white privilege' on the heads of working-class whites who were not at all times. An embarrassment, completely ignoring the virtues and virtues that society despises the skills of this group of people, making them want glory and recognition but not getting them. ”

Later, the author goes on to say that when the grassroots are unable to enjoy the economic gains, "those who waited in line for the American Dream found that others jumped in line, with blacks, women, immigrants and refugees ahead of them. [… .] When the people in the queue complained that someone was cutting the line, the talented elites mocked them by saying they were racists, white trash, and scumbags.”

think:

Others making such remarks may attract criticism from the left?

I don't know the specifics of the US, but the feminist issue gives me a similar impression. To borrow the author's words, there is nothing wrong with feminists criticizing and discussing patriarchal men. Yet not every male benefits from a patriarchal society. Feminists are actually very clear about this, so they also emphasize that "men are also victims of patriarchy." However, many men do not believe that feminists are helping themselves at the same time. Why?

There are often posts like this on the Internet: Men complain about women’s materialism, asking themselves to have a car and a building, etc., which is deeply unfair, and then say that being a man is also very hard. I once saw a female author say that she probably didn't feel much after hearing the complaints of those men. That's the problem! Feminists usually think these complaints are men slandering women, but men at the grassroots level of society do encounter such women. To paraphrase the author's terminology, these grass-roots men are also "times are not with me". They have lost most of the benefits of patriarchy, but are trapped by the pressure that patriarchy imposes on them. There is always a big gulf between the grassroots and the intellectuals. (Of course, this does not mean that these men are purely victims, they are also talking badly, etc. In short, it is very difficult to add up, and I may be criticized for "fifty big boards" and pretend to be neutral.)

Back to what the author said about the grassroots white male problem. It's actually really tricky. If the right said what the author said above, the left would probably say: "You exaggerate your situation", "Black people, women, immigrants and refugees have been oppressed for many, many years, and now is the time to speak up for them, and you have been Already enjoyed it a lot" and so on. Who is right and who is wrong, maybe need data support? (How to analyze the data is another question.)

The solution: rebuilding the dignity of work

The authors point out that economic policy now regards consumption as the ultimate goal . This ignores other meanings of work, such as exerting one's strengths and cultivating the virtues of citizens.

Philosopher Hegel 's view:

• Advocating that work is an activity that connects society, gives recognition, and celebrates contributions to the common good
• Labor market: In addition to remuneration for work, work should also be recognized for its contribution to the common good
• The market itself will not provide skills/recognition for workers -> need to set up another mechanism:

 1. Provide a minimum wage 2. Give any job a pattern that makes it clear how it contributes to the common good

The author points out that the theory of work dignity is important, why is it ignored?

 reason:
In order to avoid disputes over various ethical issues -> make economic growth the primary goal of public policy -> maximize consumer interests = the most neutral goal -> do not discuss the issue of work dignity

Influenced by market orientation, people regard material success as a symbol of moral deserving. In this regard, the author believes that we have to object to this view, such as open discussion.

The author also points out that both conservatives and progressives have proposed a political platform for rebuilding the dignity of work:

(1) Set 1: Conservatives (proposed by Oren Cass)

• A good society is more important than economic growth
• There should be no tax cuts for companies, zero restrictions on free trade for economic growth
• Policies should be introduced so that wages for workers are sufficient to strengthen family and community relationships , such as providing subsidies for low-income earners

(2) Second set: Progressives

Questions for the financial industry:

1. Changed the definition of talent and success, e.g. employees in the financial industry earn much more than other industries
2. In fact, there is no productivity, even casinoization

The author quotes financial columnist Lana Florho, which I find interesting: "Instead of making us richer, these financial activities have deepened inequality, caused more financial crises, and each time destroyed huge economies. value."

How to Improve: Shift the Taxes of Labor to Consumption and Speculation

1. Be bolder: Relieve/remove payroll taxes, top up with direct taxes on consumption, wealth and financial transactions
2. Conservative: Reduce payroll taxes, top up with a financial transaction tax on HFT

postscript:

After a month, I finally completed the reading notes of the whole book "Reflections on Success"! Thank you very much for your support! In the past articles usually only clapped at 20 or 30 times. This time it was a big breakthrough, so I was really pleasantly surprised. Although it feels very utilitarian to say this, many people will still be a lot happier to read. (covers eyes)

At first, I came home with "Reflections on Success" and couldn't wait to read it. Unexpectedly, I started to get impatient after reading a few chapters, because it seemed that everything revolved around the idea that "the supremacy of talent is arrogant". But it got a lot of good reviews online, so I thought: Is it my problem? I feel that I am completely unable to sort out the arguments of each chapter and the relationship between chapters. After reading it, it is equivalent to not reading it. So I decided to start reading again and take notes. As a result, when I was taking notes, I came up with a lot of personal thoughts, and finally decided to put it in Matters.

I have to say that after sorting it out like this, I am familiar with the arguments of each chapter, which is really very effective. (But it is very time-consuming, including the inconvenience of taking notes with a physical book. I will use a simpler and more efficient way to take notes in the future.)

After reading the whole book in depth, I still feel a little lost: the author has put forward many interesting entry points, but in the last two chapters, it is similar to the solution I usually hear. Maybe the author tried to dismantle a lot of inherent ideas, but not many things were built? However, in the conclusion, the author puts forward this vision:

 "Many people think that apart from equality of opportunity, there is only equality of outcomes, but this is not the case. There is also equality that provides more equal conditions so that those who have not yet earned wealth or power can live well and with dignity. , to develop their own abilities, to develop their talents at work, to win social dignity, to share in an atmosphere of learning culture, and to consider public affairs with other citizens.”

It can be regarded as an answer to the previous question: equality of opportunity is not good, is equality of results good? But what is " providing more equal conditions " is a new topic.

Finally, thank you for your patience! The notes were originally for myself to see, but when I put Matters on it, I would think: it is better to organize it better, so that friends who have not read this book will not be confused. But in fact, many places are not well organized, especially some points in the later stage are not understood.

Ah, there is another very important problem: many sentences, such as the content of the points, are completely taken out of the book, because there is no certainty that they can be repeated in precise language. So if everyone thinks the content is interesting, then the author's original text is interesting, haha! Thanks to the author Sandel!