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Linda McQuaig

Linda McQuaig Books

Journalist

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“Jeremy Bentham argued that 'even in the best of times the great mass of citizens will most probably possess few resources other than their daily labour and, consequently, be always near indigence'. As long as working man was near indigence, hunger would remain an effective tool to goad him to labour. Bentham argued that an important task of government was to ensure conditions of deprivation, thereby guaranteeing that hunger would [be a constant motivation to work].”

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Book:Cult of Impotence: Selling the Myth of Powerlessness in the Global Economy
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“The free market is notorious for distributing resources in a highly unequal manner, with great concentrations of wealth at the top and poverty at the bottom. Our social programs, modest compared to those of many other Western countries, play an important role in redistributing some of those resources from the haves to the have-nots.”

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Author:Linda McQuaig
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“For society to function some kind of reasonable balance has to be stuck between the competing interests of creditors and debtors. Although the mandate of the Bank of Canada was to maintain a delicate balance between encouraging growth and fighting inflation, the Bank opted to focus exclusively on fighting inflation. In doing so it came down heavily in favour of those with financial assets to protect, and against those whose primary need was employment.”

NeedsKindFightingGrowthInterestFocusBalanceProtectCapitalismFunctionFinancialStuckEmploymentPrimariesReasonableCanadaAssetsDelicateCompetingFavourInflationMandatesCreditorsDebtors
Author:Linda McQuaig
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“The statement, "The debt problem has become so extreme that we have no choice but to cut social spending" is presented as an objective assessment of our situation. But can you imagine a media commentator making the following assertion? "The debt problem has become so extreme that we have no choice but to raise taxes on the rich."”

ProblemChoicesSocialSituationRichCuttingImagineMediaTaxesCapitalismRaisesFollowingExtremesDebtSpendingStatementsObjectivesAssertionCommentatorsAssessment
Author:Linda McQuaig
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“The absurdity of public-choice theory is captured by Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen in the following little scenario: "Can you direct me to the railway station?" asks the stranger. "Certainly," says the local, pointing in the opposite direction, towards the post office, "and would you post this letter for me on your way?" "Certainly," says the stranger, resolving to open it to see if it contains anything worth stealing.”

IfsWayLittlesChoicesAsksWinningTheoryOfficeDirectLettersOppositesFollowingStrangerLibertarianStealingLocalsPostsPrizeStationsAbsurdityEconomistPointingScenariosCapturedNobelNobel PrizeRailwayPost OfficeRailway StationPrize Winning
Book:All you can eat: greed, lust, and the new capitalism
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