The relationship between fairness and efficiency

Fairness and efficiency are the dilemmas of modern society.

The relationship between freedom and efficiency. Zhu Xueqin believes that liberalism "requires a market economy economically, as opposed to a planned economy". Liberalism recognizes individual differences and releases individual creativity freely, so freedom leads to the improvement of efficiency. Equality requires economic fairness, that is, equal distribution, eliminating individual differences and having affinity with planned economy. From the past experience, we can know that the demand for equality has caused the situation of sharing the same pot and the economic development is low. Fairness and efficiency are in a tense state.

The tradition of freedom came from Britain and the United States, and it was only recently introduced into China society. The pursuit of equality is a tradition in China. After the May 4th Movement, it combined with Marxism and continued to become the mainstream ideology in China society. According to Liu Xiaofeng, social thinkers are either dominated by "social justice", fascinated by "free order" or driven by "eager individuals". The former is represented by Marx, the latter by Tocqueville and the latter by Nietzsche. The opposition between the concept of equality and the concept of freedom constitutes a lasting historical tension in China's modern social thought.

The contradiction between freedom and equality is reflected in the contradiction between fairness and efficiency in economy. In the secular society, this contradiction is manifested incisively and vividly in the traffic order of the expressway.

There are pedestrians and vehicles on the expressway. Vehicles include cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles. There is a difference between vehicles and pedestrians. Generally speaking, the car-owning class is richer than the car-free class. From cars to bicycles, according to their value, we can explain the difference between the rich and the poor or the class ownership of the owners. In traffic management, all countries have divided lanes for various vehicles and pedestrians. Without exception, they reserved lanes for motor vehicle owners and set up overtaking lanes. It is more obvious to admit that vehicles have priority, especially on expressways. In order to keep the traffic uninterrupted, it closed the road. It can be seen that both socialist and capitalist societies recognize * * *, that is, the principle of giving priority to efficiency.

Conversely, we can discuss the situation that equality is emphasized in traffic rules. At that time, the sidewalks should be as wide as the roadway, and the speed should not exceed the speed of pedestrians. They should walk side by side … or there is no transportation at all. These ideas are ridiculous to everyone.

However, these absurd ideas do not exist. This can be seen from the chaos of traffic order. This is particularly evident in China, because in the tradition of China, the demand for equality is particularly strong. Peasant uprisings in history often put forward the slogan of "equal land system" Land concentration has become the "bane" of previous social unrest. Why are there so many traffic jams today? Because no one will let anyone, no one will admit that others have priority (starting from the concept of equality). Thus, the pursuit of equality (to outdo each other) triggered a struggle. The result of the struggle may be violence or long-term congestion. This is the alienation caused by the implementation of equality concept in social behavior.

So, when a car honks its horn behind us, we ignore it and scold "What's the big deal about having a car". Do you realize that this involves a philosophical issue, which is the most important issue in today's society?

When I was on my way to work, I saw the bridge blocked. When I was on my way to the countryside, I saw farmers drying rice on the road. My heart was full of worries. I see social instability from here. This factor is irreconcilable social interests, and it is still the dichotomy of equality and freedom. I have been poor for many years, but this can't stop me from turning to reason. When I was a child, I often looked after drying rice by the roadside. Now I still can't bear to see the urban management kick over the fruit burden of the hawker. But this still can't stop my inner desire for order. I have also asked myself whether my class division has changed (this was a little influenced by Marx when I was young), so I have this idea? This is not unreasonable. I have left the countryside for ten years. The strong pursue efficiency and the weak pursue equality. But can we find a transcendental order (not utopia)?

China people insist on not forgetting their roots. As a kind of moral self-discipline, it is very effective, so many people read a lot of books and speak dialects. Therefore, the intellectuals in China are slowly divided. Even when I criticize the class where I come from, I have to go through this first. But after all, the city also accommodates me (there have been various obstacles before and I have been discriminated against here), and I still want to live here for a long time. I can understand the demands of both people, so I hope they can be harmonious.

Back to traffic order. Seeing the bridge blocked, I thought of some scenes in history: a thousand people, a river of blood. Death is a kind of pain for any class. Avoiding pain is the common aspiration of mankind, so that harmony beyond struggle can exist. When we pursue equality and hope that everyone will return to the same starting line, we will return to the primitive society. But then there was the pain of death, and one of the threats was the beast. So humans can only hope to be on an equal footing with wild animals. And this expectation must be rearranged by the creator. But none of this is possible.

It seems that we must go back to the field of experience. Urban roads distinguish sidewalks from carriageways, allowing vehicles to drive at high speed and pedestrians to walk freely. Pedestrians can change to buses (of course, it costs a certain fee), and those with cars can walk. This arrangement highlights efficiency and gives consideration to fairness. Because the walker is slow, there is still a way to go. If we don't give in to each other, that is, both sides or one party doesn't recognize this order, then it may lead to traffic jams and no one can leave.

Therefore, we must realize that freedom is the first meaning and equality is the second meaning. In this way, although human beings are different, that is to say, it is difficult to avoid some oppression and exploitation, but they can increase wealth and happiness together.