WHAT a strange and self contradictory letter Harold Rushen treated us to in Tuesday’s Advertiser.
He says his original letter was “entirely apolitical” but then says it was a critique of Tony Benn and was trying to compare two political philosophies.
He says my reply to that missed his point. But his second letter repeats the idea in his first letter that humans are naturally competitive, naturally inclined to capitalism. My reply had pointed to evidence that for most of our history humans have been cooperative, living in egalitarian societies.
His point was contradicted not missed. (Incidentally, capitalism is not a philosophy but a social system.) I’m not sure why anyone should believe the current system rewards endeavour. Billions of people work extremely hard to produce what we all need, for little reward, while a tiny minority of people who do nothing useful get all the benefit of that work.
Peter Smith, Woodside Avenue, Swindon
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here