The Paradox of Job Losses

Business Week begs the question, "Job losses: Is the panic Justified?"

Like with the chicken and the egg, the answer is yes and no. In other words, what comes first: the panic or the job loss?

It's a paradox.

The panic results from job losses. Job losses create the panic.

But what is really happening?

In our modern world, prosperity occurs because of synergy. Teamwork, comparative advantage, trade, specialization, competition, etc. have all contributed to the greatest prosperity that the world has ever known.

As a result, the world is now supporting nearly 7 Billion inhabitants; by far the most inhabitants at any point in time in the history of our world.

So what is the problem?

It is entitlements!!!

More and more individuals are demanding entitlements; IE, protection for their particular interests, such as inheritances, health care, social security, vacations, leisure, retirement, property, education, jobs, etc.

The problem is further complicated by the fact that our entitlements are dependent upon the work of each other. We cannot survive in the current world of prosperity without each of us doing our part to help each other.

What an interesting paradox. We either help each other and prosper, or we protect our individual interests and suffer.

For this to work, however, there needs to be a level of trust in each other, which is completely reliable; where complete honesty is exercised. Greed needs to be eliminated. Kindness need to be elevated. And competition needs to be mitigated.

We live in a world of plenty. We can produce more than we need. We need leaders who will promote that prosperity in a modern world environment. The result will end the Job Loss Paradox, as there will be jobs for all who want them. And those who want to work will maximize their efforts to benefit everyone.

When the world population works in concert for the benefit of all, excesses are produced. Those excesses can be used as a storehouse of value for needed entitlements. As we age, we need some entitlements, such as social security, retirement, health care and love.

So is the job loss panic justified?

Only if we insist on maintaining our selfish interests.