DanS.

Still kinda vague...don't ya think? Should a 16 year old burger flipper make that much money? Transportation...a bike? you see where I'm going?

Brainpolice

You do realize that protectionism is a mercantalist policy, correct?

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anhailla

No, it's not particularly vague...it is saying provide a job that can sustain a life.

All economics is essentially theory...and studies of social reactions, Hell, I was offering something concrete.

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anhailla

I'm sorry...
I only discuss things with free market thumpers that won't yell at me...like Mr Malky and Mr DRS.

(are you a yeller?)

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DanS.

I don't think that you are advocating a wage that can sustain a life so much as a certain quality of life...right?

anhailla

Exactly my point my friend.

Notice I said a job that could sustain a life with what most could agree are basic. Clothes, shelter, food, medical treatment...

You will notice I didn't say a job that could provide an easy life...just "sustain" a life.

This was meant to be a minimum requirement for a wage.

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DanS.

So...how do you determine it? I know you said the imputs...but those still vary in quality...and in the case of food and clothing will also vary in quantity....Is the wage in absence of government assistance? Do you get paid more if you live on your own instead of being a teenager working at McDonalds? Do you make more if you have a kid?

Brainpolice

Actually "Malky", last I remember from my discussions with him on the BM board a while back, is a self-described "libertarian socialist", not a "free market thumper".

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Malkavian

I believe in pragmatism and common sense as opposed to ideology. My common sense is more long term however. Economic models are like clothes - some fit better to a particular culture/country at a particular time better than others. I think free market is the best system for mature, advanced economies. For those who start out with nothing, government subsidy/tariff will probably be beneficial if done right. However, as economy develops, those tariffs/subsidies will become straitjackets and will cause massive inefficiencies. The key is therefore to realize at what rate you should be liberalizing what sectors of the economy. Chinese seem to have figured it out, while Russia took a decade (90's) off...

So no, i don't think that government intervention will always be necessary, i think it produces a lot of harm in the long run. But at the very start, government can be used to pool resources and set up infrastructure that will allow private industry to grow. You have to recognize when enough is enough however. And usually it's much earlier than most people think

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Malkavian

Guilty as charged

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