What is Middle Class?: Politics and Globalization

Alot of the debate about our economic culture today deals with the inequality. The question that really should be answered is, what is middle class? Most things in life are well defined. How can so many get away with talking about rich vs. poor and discuss inequality in our nation and elsewhere in the world if no one can seem to define it. I understand the how conditions depend on environment; if someone in NYC makes $50,000 their PPP is lower than someone making $50,000 in rural Arkansas. How do we measure what is middle class. The only way to prove true inequality is to establish classes. If poor in America means a family with two cars, owning their own home, and having a TVs, ipods, and food on the table, is inequality an issue. This country is well enough off that no one should be hungry or homeless, but the environment we have provides opportunity. In our society everyone has a chance to succeed. While it is not guaranteed that everyone will, anyone has a chance.

I think that the true problem of inequality and class division in this country is political. Politicians speak freely about the struggles of poor or the richness of our nation. Simultaneously, these politicans hold vastly different views. If inequality exists what is the goal we as a nation have to combat it. What is the acceptable level of inequality? People will continue to get richer at the top, there possibilities are endless. People at the bottom won’t be allowed to fall through the cracks. Its not wrong to be rich.

The debate wil rage on today and forever. Politians will focus on inequality in various elections. There power to change it will be limited, there power to get elected because of it will be great. The discussion of inequality is so often based on dynamic figures and controrted facts that can be twisted. There will always be inequality, but the real problem is simply poverty. Yes the lower end can and should do better, but what happens on the top IS NOT an excuse. There is always more opportunity in this countries economy. Nothing stops anyone from going to college, finding a better job, or in someway improving there situation. There is a way. Yes often the rich can pad their purses by “taking advantage of the labor of others,” but these people are also taking advantage of the work offered by the rich. It is mutually beneficial, if there is a problem it is up to the individual to make it more beneficial for them. Initiative is hte great equalizer not social programs or fiery politicians.

Africa’s Chance

While many countries in Europe and the Americas are developed and Asian countries are well on their way, Africa lags desperately far behind. Hope remains, despite the odds. Several problems must be solved in order for Africa to stand a chance. The problems plaguing Africa must be solved and it will take a long time and must be solved in an orderly manner because only completing the steps will lead to further economic progression. Africa faces additional and unique challenges. Extra problems compound solutions offered by economist and politicians.

-Stop disease!

HIV/AIDs is ravaging the next generation and will continue to plauge the people. HIV is preventable and thus steps to prevent it our primary. It may take decades but Africa won’t develop under the current epidemic. Other diseases such as malaria are rampant and kill thousands of people. Africa’s high birthrate and death rate are natural evolutions in the population curve of developing nations but the faster their economies and healthcare improve and disease is brought under control, the faster Africa can improve its situation. High birthrates are a result of inefficiency and occer because with low incomes parents need many childern to support them. With high mortality rates from disease, HIV, undernourishment, and simply having lower odds of survival the people in Africa have more children people in the developed world which further compounds the problem.

-Government

Governece simply must improve as must relationships. Instability rocks much of Africa and corruption is rampant in many countries. Africa’s resources are plundered by a minority of elitiest holding back the countries advancement. Governemts must maintain order and provide services to people as they collect revenue. Infastruce- roads, schools, power, and water are all needed and can only be provided through government efficiency. Nations must be stable and more efficeint to encourage business rather than aid. They must prosper with growth rather than fall into insurmountable debt. Nations will go through painful changes trying to move away from dependance of foreign government and solely resource expolitation economies, but the change is inevitable at some point. Government must be strong and fair. Ethnic division and civil conflict will stifle any incentive for foreign investment. Genocide and civil war aren’t fostering environments for multinationals. Stability may require government with an edge. Stability will foster growth oportunity. There is a fine line between restriction of necessary freedoms and oppression. Governments must establish control before poeple can experience freedom.

-Focus on already developing nations
Specialization and establishing an economoy beyond subsistence farming is the only way to move forward in development. Allow countries with a leg up right now to boom, If nations like South Africa and perhaps Nigeria can develop or at least fast track their development demands for labor and services will increase and eventually spill over. Just as the US economy pulls up industrailizing nations such as Mexico and South Korea those nations can do so regionally.

-Regionalize economy in short term

This can lift many countries in the region. While not all nation states will succeed they will move towards stable governements and open economies. Likely nations will attempt to make a move towards free markets and democracy but many attempts will fail or be overthrown, perhaps many times, before being successful. It is unrelistic to think that everyone will ever “make it” but globalization affords people opportunity to live better, longer, happier lives. Right now Africa simply lags. Regionializing the effort and having truly working economic cooperations will create Africa’s chance.

-Take advantage of labor demands

Finally, to succeed African labor sources must be able to produce high quality and highly effcient goods and services. Taking advantage of the opportunities is the only way for condidtions to improve. The other factors such as improving health, encourageing good government and free economies, and regionalizaing the effort, will not help the people unless they can take the next step and become fully capable and independant. Other nations should feel obligated to give them that chance.