Leadership to Freedom

I got involved in a conversation the other day when someone was talking about LaRonde; Montreal’s amusement park. The discussion ended up veering to the price of admission and what the park was doing to earn to earn a greater profit. At this point one of my coworkers started to say that it wasn’t right that you can get special passes to jump a head of the line and not have to wait.

The conversations started down the path of it not being fair, but knowing who he was talking to, he quickly changed it to him not liking this ‘legal’ line jumping to be done around other kids because they wouldn’t understand. He quickly came to realize why it was fair, if not right in this circumstance, but only after seeing what is not normally seen; which is part of what I want to share here.

As is usually the case when it comes to economic issues, the problems start at the same spot; not seeing the whole picture, but only looking at what is happening directly in front of our eyes. In this case, what is seen is one group of people getting preferential treatment that another does not have access too. It is allowing those with more money to be able to cut in line. The question is then asked (negatively) “What gives them the right? Why should they be allowed? They should have to wait like everyone else!”

I could go into how it’s fair because they did the work in the past to earn the money required to afford this treatment, while those complaining chose to watch TV during the evening instead of doing something to be more successful. I could go into how it’s fair because this amusement park is a private company that is allowed to make their own line structure and that if we don’t like it we can vote with our feet and not show up.

But this argument can be difficult to understand without enough background in economics, freedom, and what makes a society prosper.

Instead, let’s look at why it’s actually in the best interest of those without the money to have this special option available for those with the money.

What is not seen

First, consider the cost of entrance. Those people without much money probably think the cost is already really high, especially when you have to spend so much time waiting in lines and not getting the opportunity to go on as many rides as they would like. If the cost is what it is because the owners of LaRonde want to make a profit, imagine what these owners would do to cover the costs and still earn the same profit if they didn’t have this extra income stream. They would probably raise the price of admission.

So with the ability for those with enough money to pay for the privilege of not waiting in lines, they probably allow those without as much to get in for a cheaper price. This is hard to see however, as it is not the current reality – only a possibility that at this point is only in our minds. Maybe this setup actually allows some people to get into LaRonde who wouldn’t be able to afford it without this opportunity. Maybe the cost of a whole family would be big difference in the ‘everyone is equal’ scenario with no one being able to pay more.

For more of an explanation on the idea of what is not seen, and it’s importance, see the end of the article in this link.

Distinction

Second, we should consider the idea of the ‘distinction’ at play. I will cover this more in a later article when I talk about Orrin Woodward’s book ‘And Justice For All’, but the principle is that people will do more because there is something to be gained. There is distinction to be obtained; the recognition of being different or of having better things. Here are some interesting words from the book that will help explain the concept

Distinction, in effect, drives people beyond the normal effort they would expend for mere monetary rewards. Thus, when distinction is not possible for most people within a society, productivity levels predictably decrease. Whereas distinction incentivizes societal growth, its absence disincentivizes the same.

Although distinction may appear to be a minor point, in reality it is vitally important. People are not like draft animals, which can work obediently so long as they are provided food, drink, and shelter. In contrast, human beings must believe their efforts will lead to increased distinctions and rewards (metaphysical progress), or they will mentally “check out”.

Orrin was not necessarily talking about distinction in monetary rewards, or of getting physical things, but was talking more in terms of status and the acknowledgments we can get. But this applies to things we want to have, or things we want to do, as well. He makes this point later on when he says,

Rare is the individual, in other words, who will strive for great accomplishments without the ability to reap the commensurate rewards.

So letting people with the money to use it in this manner is a concept needed all over society just to motivate people to do more with their lives. We need these ‘extras’ available in life to keep people working harder, to keep the economy growing (or reverse the decline) and to create more prosperity for all.

Now you might be thinking (like my co-worker) that we don’t necessarily need this particular distinction here, that there is many other things in the world to strive for. You would be right. But then the question is where would you draw the line? In each area of distinction, we would be able to argue that it is not necessary in that particular case since its available elsewhere else.

A lesson for children

You may also feel that amusement parks are no place for this kind of distinction, that the kids don’t understand these things and that it causes problems when they don’t understand why other kids don’t have to wait. This comes down to parenting, and how you react to the situation. You can be the parent who doesn’t like to deal with difficult situations, or one that wants to give their kids everything they want. You may be more interested in being friends with your children than be their parents who will raise them. For these parents I have no real answer for you… this situation, and all others like it in the world will be problematic for you.

But here is why I think this can be good, and here is my advice. You can use this as a lesson. Since distinction is so important, you can use this to explain the differences out there, that some people have more than others, and that those who go out and be successful in life, have certain advantages; like not having to wait in line at an amusement park. Give them something to look forward to, to help motivate them to do more with their lives instead of complaining about what others have. If you are worried about them thinking less of you for not providing them this option, tell them if this is something they want, they will have to earn the privilege themselves. If they are really too young to understand this concept, then they probably wouldn’t notice the distinction of others in the first place.

You can also use this a financial education lesson, pointing out how society is set up to get people to spend money they don’t have (many of the people who pay for these passes are almost certainly in debt). You can point out that you are not spending extra on this extravaganza because it will mean having less for more important things later on, while those participating will have have bigger problems down the road.

He told me that I don’t understand his point of view because I’m not yet a parent, and that I would only understand once I have kids of my own; I still get that line from my mother to this day! 🙂

I do understand where he is coming from however, and I don’t blame him for thinking the way he does. He doesn’t want to have to listen to his daughter complain, or have to deal with her questions at a time when she wouldn’t understand the answer. But ignorance is not bliss; to hide how the world works from our kids, is to stop them from being ready for the world when it’s time to face it on their own.