Julie Parker
SOC 313
Olson
10.23.09
SOC 313
Olson
10.23.09
Rich Germans demand higher taxes
A group of very well-to-do Germans is demanding that the wealthiest population in Germany pay a 5% increase in taxes for two years. They believe that the money will be enough to boost, “ecological programmes, education and social projects”. Recently Germany has been undergoing a financial crisis similar to the US’s. However, Germany is more socially structured than the US and German citizens are entitled to free health care and public/secondary education. When people lose jobs in Germany they face a harder financial impact because their hospitals and schools rely on the tax dollars.
This article is a great example of informal social control. Here we have a community of wealthy people demanding that others in the same financial state pay higher taxes to alleviate some of Germany’s fiscal troubles. Peer pressure is allowing the group to gather numerous signatures and votes. Interestingly enough, it is the wealthy community demanding these changes. In a way they are looking to eliminate any possible hegemony the poverty stricken may face when going into recession.
In this instance it may be safe to say that the wealthy feel responsible for the poor, but there is an interesting statement in the article: “Those who had "made a fortune through inheritance, hard work, hard-working, successful entrepreneurship, or investment" should contribute by paying more to alleviate the crisis.” I am not really sure if I should take this as sarcasm in the fact that the rich worked hard for their money and shame on the poor—or if they really mean that the rich have more than they need even after hard work?
This article is a great example of informal social control. Here we have a community of wealthy people demanding that others in the same financial state pay higher taxes to alleviate some of Germany’s fiscal troubles. Peer pressure is allowing the group to gather numerous signatures and votes. Interestingly enough, it is the wealthy community demanding these changes. In a way they are looking to eliminate any possible hegemony the poverty stricken may face when going into recession.
In this instance it may be safe to say that the wealthy feel responsible for the poor, but there is an interesting statement in the article: “Those who had "made a fortune through inheritance, hard work, hard-working, successful entrepreneurship, or investment" should contribute by paying more to alleviate the crisis.” I am not really sure if I should take this as sarcasm in the fact that the rich worked hard for their money and shame on the poor—or if they really mean that the rich have more than they need even after hard work?
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