Читать книгу From Here to Prosperity - Thomas Burgess - Страница 11

WE ARE NOT where we could be on the path of human progress. Despite all the advances that have been made in technology, healthcare and communications, we still live in a world riddled with inequality, conflict and suffering. Even in the rich nations, we need change and I believe that if we can make it here, to paraphrase the song, we can make it anywhere. At base, almost all our problems stem from inequality of some sort: of wealth, of opportunity, of resources or freedoms. There is no excuse for poverty in the economically advanced countries, no reason why it should persist; there is enough income generated and wealth created to go round in a more equitable manner.

I want to give you some real facts that bring clarity about where we are today and facts that are indisputable. Then to move on to common sense policy ideas that, given the political will, could make a real difference. But that is not enough, the greatest ideas are no good unless implemented, so I want to outline how the environment for change can be created, once we have that, how the policy ideas can be implemented in a realistic time frame. Before the answers, let’s review the problems to determine where we are now. I have identified three major issues; while I have taken most of my illustrations from the UK and USA, these problems are applicable to most western democracies and ‘advanced’ economies.

 Extreme inequality and persistent poverty

 Slow economic progress

 Damaged democracy, a government that isn’t working, for us