Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Who is Sam Walton?
Micha Ghertner presents an argument that Walmart is despised for its success much as Ayn Rand protagonists are.
Loosely, an Ayn Rand protagonist, through a combination of hard work, talent, and raw individualism, succeeds spectacularly others others following a more socialist mindset have failed miserably. While society as a whole improves due to the efforts of the Rand protagonist, society casts aspersions on the protagonist when he/she will not bend to society's deluded demands. Further these aspersions are actually motivated by the shortcomings of society - not the faults of the protagonist. Typically, the protagonist grows tired of these constant attacks and withdraws from society, with society now the worse off. (Or as I like to say, "I'm taking my sandbox and going home!")
To Gherter (and to me), Walmart is filling the role of a Randian protagonist. Walmart performs a vital social service - cheap stuff for the masses. Without Walmart, the poor would be far worse off, unable to afford many of the niceities of modern life. On a larger macroeconomic scale see this article. Some choice quotes from the article:
Walmart achieved these accomplishments by hard work, significant data management and product flow innovations, and a ruthless (I mean that in a good way) focus on the bottom line. For its efforts, Walmart is lambasted by critics for putting mom and pop stores out of business. But creative destruction is the very thing that raises standards of living See for instance, The Power of Productivity by Bill Lewis, with a condensed first chapter here (free registration required). One of the more deluded demands that I've heard came on the air from hosts at WFNR (talk radio here in Blacksburg). They suggested that this "problem" could be overcome by having the local Walmart cede ownership to the community. Fortunately for us, Walmart hasn't yet packed up its sandbox and headed back to Bentonville.
Side notes:
If you're doubtful as to whether or not people actually despise success, consider the following questions:
Here's another article on Walmart and the American economy with a case study from Connecticut written by the Manhattan Institute.
Comments(0) |
Micha Ghertner presents an argument that Walmart is despised for its success much as Ayn Rand protagonists are.
Loosely, an Ayn Rand protagonist, through a combination of hard work, talent, and raw individualism, succeeds spectacularly others others following a more socialist mindset have failed miserably. While society as a whole improves due to the efforts of the Rand protagonist, society casts aspersions on the protagonist when he/she will not bend to society's deluded demands. Further these aspersions are actually motivated by the shortcomings of society - not the faults of the protagonist. Typically, the protagonist grows tired of these constant attacks and withdraws from society, with society now the worse off. (Or as I like to say, "I'm taking my sandbox and going home!")
To Gherter (and to me), Walmart is filling the role of a Randian protagonist. Walmart performs a vital social service - cheap stuff for the masses. Without Walmart, the poor would be far worse off, unable to afford many of the niceities of modern life. On a larger macroeconomic scale see this article. Some choice quotes from the article:
But its influence is "undeniable" because it created more jobs in the 1990s than any other company, he says. More retail jobs are on the way. Wal-Mart plans to add 800,000 workers in the next five years.
Wal-Mart also teaches manufacturers to be more cost effective so product prices can stay down.
It alone accounted for as much as 25% of the U.S. productivity gains from 1995-99, says consultant McKinsey & Co.
Walmart achieved these accomplishments by hard work, significant data management and product flow innovations, and a ruthless (I mean that in a good way) focus on the bottom line. For its efforts, Walmart is lambasted by critics for putting mom and pop stores out of business. But creative destruction is the very thing that raises standards of living See for instance, The Power of Productivity by Bill Lewis, with a condensed first chapter here (free registration required). One of the more deluded demands that I've heard came on the air from hosts at WFNR (talk radio here in Blacksburg). They suggested that this "problem" could be overcome by having the local Walmart cede ownership to the community. Fortunately for us, Walmart hasn't yet packed up its sandbox and headed back to Bentonville.
Side notes:
If you're doubtful as to whether or not people actually despise success, consider the following questions:
Why do so many people hate the Lakers?In all these cases, I believe the object of scorn is fulfilling the role of a Randian protagonist - villified for their success.
Why do so many people hate the Yankees?
Why do so many people hate the Yanquis (the US)?
Here's another article on Walmart and the American economy with a case study from Connecticut written by the Manhattan Institute.
Comments(0) |
