College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business and the Good Society

Discussion Questions for October 03, 2000:

The Winner Take All Society

1) What role do material possessions play in bringing about the good society? Should personal possessions be limited somehow? If so, how can the wealth of the few be re-distributed to the masses? How is your re-allocation system enforced?

2) What are the motivations of the best and brightest in your society? How are your "heroes" rewarded? Thinking from two different perspectives: How would you behave in wealth restricted society if you were: (1) a "hero"? (2) below average?

3) France instituted a 35 hour work week this yeat.
In your opinion, is this type of policy fair to those who are willing to work harder than most in order to succeed? Can work hours be standardized? Can work output or production be standardized?

4) In your ideal society, would individuals have the freedom to choose the direction of their lives, even if it resulted in society not realizing its maximum economic output? Do the interests of society or the interests of the individual come first?

5) The book argues that the Winner Take All Society has resulted in media sensationalism and other low quality products.
Where do you draw the line between giving control to free market forces?

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