Currently, there are many pundits selling get-rich-quick books based on secret formulas that assure rapid transitions from poverty to excessive wealth. There is something about this kind of thinking that doesn't feel right to me. It is far too close to some very real problems growing in the world with run-away economics that lead to bizarre endings.
I feel that a word of warning should go out to these proponents and their adherents who promulgate such schemes and ideas specifically because:
a) Acquiring easy riches doesn't guarantee individual happiness or moreover, the fulfillment of our collective well-being.
b) According to some leading economic theorists, wealth may actually lead nations into global wars fueled by hatred, greed and violence.
Please read the following information gleaned from the book, World On Fire, by Amy Chua:
"Chua sets the backdrop for her thesis challenging the conventional wisdom that exporting "free market democracy" would transform the world into a "community of modernized, peace-loving nations, and individuals into civic-minded citizens and consumers". Instead, we have witnessed ethnic violence, religous zealotry and hateful resentment. The Balkans, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Rwanda and other recent current eruptions of ethnic violence serve up tragic proof."
The question that arises is, why does this happen? "Well, Chua contends that it's the combination of "market dominant minorities", implementation of unfettered laissez faire capitalism, and rapid democratization enabling impoverished majorities to lash back. The phenomenon of market dominant minorities can occur on a national level, like in the Phillipines, or on a regional level, as in the middle east where 220 million largely poor Arabs co-exist with 5 million more prosperous Jews. Or on a national stage, as America is perceived as controlling the world, to the detriment of natives across the globe. Post 9/11 anti-Americanism was cited - while we view our economic success as the result of entrepreneurial spirit and generations of hard work, others say our wealth and power are the "spoils of plunder, exploitation, and exclusion".
These are valid points to ponder in the rush to get to the top of our Mt. Everest of "resonant" financial success. The warning everyone needs to consider on the way is, "take a little time out to consider the consequences at the end of your rainbow..."
Many blessings!
Nahu Lanham
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