A Level Playing Field -- four words that cause most dyed-in-the-wool, pro-business, pro-capitalist folks to shudder and/or cringe uncontrollably. The words ooze off their lips like the bubonic plague. They use these words like a dagger; the final knife thrust of an all out attack against any suggestion of socio-economic fairness or justice.
The term is meant to show utter disdain and disgust. The term often is paired with other words like communist, anti-business, unamerican or (one term aimed at me recently) socialist do-gooder.
Yes, A Level Playing Field must be a bad, bad thing!
Well, that's not entirely true, even for the pro-capitalist folks. You see, it all depends on which side of the field you happen to be on. If a foreign country subsidizes a particular company or industry AND this has a negative impact on an American company or industry, then it's a totally different story. "In order to compete," says the American CEO, "we need to level the playing field."
Unfortunately, that seems to be the ONLY situation in which these 4 words are okay to utter. If a socialist do-gooder like me happens to suggest that we need to rein in corporate power, then the phrase A Level Playing Field again takes on its negative emphasis. "All a level playing field will bring us," whines the American CEO, "is the lowering of standards for all."
As mentioned above, the key aspect of the term is wholly dependent on whether you perceive yourself to be in the position to gain something or to lose something.
If you are in a strong position -- you possess goods, resources, power or status that others don't have -- you have no interest in A Level Playing Field. From your narrow perspective, leveling the field will provide others with an equal opportunity to obtain what you already have. If others do obtain it, then you will lose a measure of your status, wealth or power.
Conversely, if others possess something you desire, then leveling the playing field will allow you the opportunity to join "the club". From this narrow perspective, it's only right that you should have a fair chance to obtain what others already have.
Since America, in general, and the wealthy, in specific, have obtained certain rights, freedoms, wealth and power that the average Jane or Joe doesn't have, the distasteful form of A Level Playing Field is the dominant one in American society. It is so dominant, in fact, that many who would benefit from it are still adverse to the idea. (Aah, the power of hegemony!)
Again, from my perspective, it is the capitalist system that has created this entire situation. Because we are pushed always to want more and better, we view egocentric needs as being more important than communal or societal needs.
If we are one day able to leave capitalism in the dustbin of history, then I strongly believe that the term A Level Playing Field may well become the underlying principle of a new epoch. It will no longer be connotated with "dumbing down" or "lowering standards" but will be viewed as an all encompassing concern for all.
If we seek -- as individuals and as a society -- to live our lives in balance, we won't desire for anyone to face an uphill climb.
In the final analysis, that's what A Level Playing Field is all about.
The term is meant to show utter disdain and disgust. The term often is paired with other words like communist, anti-business, unamerican or (one term aimed at me recently) socialist do-gooder.
Yes, A Level Playing Field must be a bad, bad thing!
Well, that's not entirely true, even for the pro-capitalist folks. You see, it all depends on which side of the field you happen to be on. If a foreign country subsidizes a particular company or industry AND this has a negative impact on an American company or industry, then it's a totally different story. "In order to compete," says the American CEO, "we need to level the playing field."
Unfortunately, that seems to be the ONLY situation in which these 4 words are okay to utter. If a socialist do-gooder like me happens to suggest that we need to rein in corporate power, then the phrase A Level Playing Field again takes on its negative emphasis. "All a level playing field will bring us," whines the American CEO, "is the lowering of standards for all."
As mentioned above, the key aspect of the term is wholly dependent on whether you perceive yourself to be in the position to gain something or to lose something.
If you are in a strong position -- you possess goods, resources, power or status that others don't have -- you have no interest in A Level Playing Field. From your narrow perspective, leveling the field will provide others with an equal opportunity to obtain what you already have. If others do obtain it, then you will lose a measure of your status, wealth or power.
Conversely, if others possess something you desire, then leveling the playing field will allow you the opportunity to join "the club". From this narrow perspective, it's only right that you should have a fair chance to obtain what others already have.
Since America, in general, and the wealthy, in specific, have obtained certain rights, freedoms, wealth and power that the average Jane or Joe doesn't have, the distasteful form of A Level Playing Field is the dominant one in American society. It is so dominant, in fact, that many who would benefit from it are still adverse to the idea. (Aah, the power of hegemony!)
Again, from my perspective, it is the capitalist system that has created this entire situation. Because we are pushed always to want more and better, we view egocentric needs as being more important than communal or societal needs.
If we are one day able to leave capitalism in the dustbin of history, then I strongly believe that the term A Level Playing Field may well become the underlying principle of a new epoch. It will no longer be connotated with "dumbing down" or "lowering standards" but will be viewed as an all encompassing concern for all.
If we seek -- as individuals and as a society -- to live our lives in balance, we won't desire for anyone to face an uphill climb.
In the final analysis, that's what A Level Playing Field is all about.
Trey,
ReplyDeleteIn what connotation do you think Oprah would have used the "level playing field" term, when Hermes, in Paris, didn't let her in after they had closed for the day.
But, she always had the race card in the back pocket. I find that attack interesting. Considering France, especially in Paris, has had greater racial equality and protections than the US.
Would a better assessment be that the French don't like ugly American tourists, regardless of race or income.
I must have missed that bit of news. I don't know anything about it.
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