“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was an age of wisdom, it was an age of foolishness.”
That is how Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities” begins. A popularized cultural statement and one that can be applied to almost any age, even the age of an “Island Tear.”
MLA Hannah Bell wrote an opinion piece in The Guardian last week that caused me pause. While both this piece and my personal opinions are centered on business aspects of the economy, Bell does bring light to relevant issues that few are addressing.
There remains a growing global disparity between levels of affluence. Global solutions are also being initiated. Many ultra-wealthy are committing to the “Giving Pledge” where the majority of their wealth is returned to the betterment of humanity. Currently over 150 billionaires have committed to this pledge.
To be clear, businesses, if not individuals, have a fundamental compulsion to create value and generate wealth. This is proper and should be encouraged. How to apply this generated wealth and a structure of administration is an opportunity for exploration.
The struggles of growth are not universal, but strain is a constant. Business people I have spoken to, many of whom are doing exceptionally well, are also strained. Strained under the weight of government interference and obstruction, strained under burdensome taxation and strained over resource constraint. An unmanaged tear can cause a general ripping of fabric at the seams.
Is it time for business to have a new voice, and one not influenced by #MightyGovernment? A pure voice motivated to progress the interests of business, and as a consequence society around them. A commitment to long-term progress while meaningfully reducing strain experienced by those marginalized in a bursting economy.
A new pact cannot be orchestrated in the short run. Strain will continue until market equilibrium is achieved, stresses may abate as markets balance. Leaders should organize to build a long-term strategy of community elevation through collective prosperity. Wealth transfer, charitable focus or serving a common good; brand the action as it fits, but a need is real and increasing.
Where are we left today? Enjoying a period of unprecedented growth. The longest bull run in stock market history, unprecedented housing activity and commercial building, increased population and export sales. Counterbalancing this is the strain of employment limitations, unavailable shelter, rising food costs, increasing domestic stresses and consequent addictions.
Success is not an evil and the consequences of business achievements should never be vilified, but perhaps governments have a role to mute the strain. Businesses also have a role to stabilize their environment, but shouldn't be directed by the political compulsions of government.
Blake Doyle is The Guardian's small business columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].
