This video is based on the fact that austerity will continue to polarize the US in the current economic times. Consequently, it is projected that austerity measures will be applied mostly in dealing with the budget deficits and the tough economic times. This shows the inequality that comes into existence as a result of the austerity measures that the government undertakes in its quest to achieving a balanced budget. The video gives an insight of the political and social consequences that are brought about by the austerity measures in the country. The speakers further provide the remedies of combating this confronting inequality in the country. The levels of austerity in the country lead to soaring heights of inequality in wealth distribution amongst the people (Edsall, 178). In times of austerity measures by the State, the rich people will be struggling to maintain their wealth whereas the poor in the society would be left to suffer.
However, these inequality levels are also accelerated by the political affiliations of different Americans. There exists a distinction between how the Republicans and Democrats view the set austerity measures. For instance, the Republicans are believed to support some specific expenditure cuts which they view as essential to them. However, the Democrats are termed as being elastic on any austerity policies formulated by the State. This provides a difference brought about by the political power of the people. The proceedings also give information on how poverty and inequality sprawled after the great recession. Thus, there exists a great divide on austerity between different groups of people in America. Conversely, speakers in this symposium point out possible ways of dealing with the issues of inequality and wealth amongst the people. This was in light with the inequalities caused in austerity periods.
Angel’s of our Nature
In this video, we learn that the world has been rocked by various scenes of war, terrorism, crime, and violence. However, it is estimated that the levels of violence have reduced in the current times as compared to the earlier days. It is viewed that in the ancient times interracial violence was nine times more than the present day situation. Warfare between the developed nations has ended and even in the developing nations, the war that prevails does not result in major loss of lives. This violence is believed to be caused by inner demons which create the feeling of sadism, tribalism, and revenge (Pinker, 214). Hence, this causes people to engage in wars and crimes against each other. However, as time goes by we can learn that people are touched by “angels” and thus they change their perception on others. The angel’s who impact on the society to stop violence includes; literacy, trade, cosmopolitanism and the spread of the government.
This has consequently led to a control of the people’s impulse and hence controlling violence. In past we had many cases of slavery, executions, and sadistic punishments which led to the development of a given culture of pessimism. As a result of this pessimistic culture, most people still believe that there would be periods of war in the future. However, it is essential that people become optimistic in order to avoid the acts of violence. As illustrated by the video, we should be better angels so as to help shun any instances of violence and war. This would help in the development of the population as a whole and also the nation’s welfare.
Work Cited
Edsall, Thomas B. The Age of Austerity: How Scarcity Will Remake American Politics. New York: Doubleday, 2012. Print.
Pinker, Steven. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. New York: Viking, 2011. Print.
