I am being indoctrinated, now you will too!
Okay, that was dramatic. But the past few months have been such. I switched jobs and started working in the impact space. And no I am not educating kids, or feeding people, or raising funds for non-profits, I am lifting people out of poverty. Seems like a tough job, yup it is!
And part of this job is to understand how we can lift people from poverty. Do we go the current route and focus on an individual unit and improving their standards of living — education, nutrition, accommodation, skilling & jobs, quality of living, etc. Or do we focus on building profitable institutions that generate employment, increase income, create ancillary industries, and uplift people through better jobs and more money?
Or do we do both? But with limited resources, how do we allocate to maximize our returns? How do we make this decision?
Does governance have a role to play in a country’s economic growth? Look at China — a communist country, that has sustained the growth momentum for the past 40 years now and is the second largest economy in the world. Look at Viet Nam, another socialist country taking over the world as a strategic location for China+1 manufacturing strategy. So do democratic institutions impede economic growth especially when you are on a time crunch? Or are these countries outliers?
This brings to me to the question — what should the government do and not do? Comment, which one of these areas should they regulate?
- How many hours you work in a day?
- If you can/ cannot buy land in the country? (Assuming you have money)
- How and when to fire your employees- even though they are uncompetitive?
- If you can or cannot live with your partner?
- What work you can and cannot take up?
I am sure your answer would be none. But currently the government regulates all of these areas, and much much more. So, is the government itself a roadblock in economic growth?
I don’t have answers to any of this. These are good food for thought questions. But from now on, for you guys, you 11 people that follow me (❤), I will attempt to answer these questions.
Would the mean long research papers? No. Literature review? No.
None of that. Short articles that introduce you to new perspectives and make you think. That’s all. I don’t want to change your opinion. I don’t want to convert you.
I just want you to think.
I will publish my next article this Saturday. Suggest interesting topics that you want to explore with me.
See you super soon!
