: : *This is where participatory democracy would come into play. We would have to implement a method where everyone has their say, rather than elected officials.: I would like that. but why not dimply do away with state and have everyone 'having their say' by being sovereign individuals?
**Because the state has to intervent, in order to appropriate surplus in an equitable manner. Plain and simple. Anrachy is definitely not the answer.
: Wealth. If 100kg of steel once made a plough which fed 100 people, and a technologically more advanced plough that feeds 200 is made has wealth increased? yes, the same 100kg of material has produced more wealth. it is by changing the form or materials that people have created wealth - and the trend has been toward greater efficiency (ie more wealh per material)
**But wealth does not come from nowhere. It is derived from stripping the planet of its resources, and/or exploiting another's labour. When one person owns productive property, they can do alot of damage. And if their goal is profit, which is always the motive, this cannot be achieve unless at least one of the above two conditions are met.
: : My point is that most people, regardless of gender, perceive the majority of the world's population as male when they have a mental image, and this sends a very powerful message as to the inequalities between the two sexes.
: If they do then I can perceive the problem too. Changing the language doesnt do it though. Changing the underlying view of others (from lumping them together in collectivised masses, to considering each upon their own merits) would.
**I agree with you, but you must understand that language is shaped by our ideas, and our ideas shape language. Both must change. And implementing/using gender-neutral language is a positive step forward in achieving equality between the sexes.
: My conclusion is the one above - move away from thinking in terms of groups, majorities, minorities, races, sexes, heights etc. the language does not have to change - thats just painting over rust, a pointless exercise.
**Perhaps when our ideology and language has changed as such that these differences are no longer implied, then we will have achieved equality. Until then, people are still defined based on their positions within these groups. It is a sign of the significant inequalities that exist.
