Posted: Feb 20, 2018 1:37 pm
zulumoose wrote:those who would benefit from an exploitative environment are the very ones enacting the legislation (or influencing those who do)
I would submit that the more enlightened and mature the society, the less that pattern is repeated. Just look at which are the countries where corrupt politicians fight back, and in which countries it is more normal for them to resign quietly when found with their hands in the cookie jar.
True. But, according to Scheidel, history would suggest that the positive changes are too small and/or occur too slowly.
It's not encouraging that even Steven Pinker speaks well of the book!
(From the amazon.com page...)
"If you think you've heard it all about economic inequality, think again. Walter Scheidel's analysis of what really reduces inequality is provocative, but he makes the case with reason, evidence, and style."--Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined