Investing in the Commons
A week ago, I returned from a 20 day trip to the Philippines and South Korea. Although I've visited the Philippines about every two years since I was little (and love it!), this was the first time that I had ever visited South Korea. Although I knew it was a well-developed first-world country, I was blown away by just how advanced and civilized it was. Quite frankly, it put the United States to shame. Everything was extremely well-organized and hi-tech, as you might expect from a country that ranked #1 on the 2014 Bloomberg Global Innovation Index. But more than that, there was a powerful sense of community and social obligation that made a big impact on me.
For example, there are hardly any trash cans anywhere in Seoul. Yet, people don't litter. Instead, they carry around their own little trash bags until they can find the rare garbage bin. Imagine that in a city like New York? Another example - as we walked around Seoul for several days, we were confused by the strange yellow bumpy paths in the pavement everywhere. Finally, after watching an old blind lady walking down the street on top of them, I realized that it was tactile paving. But it was everywhere! In the US, we have them at intersections and on train stations, but that's it. In Seoul, they are on every sidewalk, with different patterns indicating walking, intersections, etc. So accommodating to the visually impaired! I could go on - the random truck stops in the middle of Korea with clean bathrooms and copious rolls of toilet paper; the beautiful parks and walking paths everywhere (Seoul is one of the only modern cities to make a serious attempt to go green); the respect for historical sites and ancient culture beyond the opportunity to make money (tickets for ancient historical sites and museums in Seoul are around $5). South Korea has a culture that respects its people, values its history and environment, and invests in its infrastructure. In short, it is a country that values and invests in the commons.
After reading this Atlantic article from February 2015, this subliminal impression of South Korea returned and began to really resonate with me. Why is the United States falling so behind? Why is every single US citizen that I know disillusioned with our government and our society? Even those who still profess to 'love their country' cannot help but be upset with our current trajectory. Our middle class is shrinking and weak; the economic inequality gap widens; our government is divided and ineffectual; our society rocked by the same social issues that plagued us decades ago; our educational system severely average; the freedom of the internet is under siege; the right to privacy is being unraveled; and we are just beginning to feel the very real effects of climate change. It is evident that the United States is ceasing to be what once made it great. But why? What has changed? To me, the answer is that we have ceased to invest in our own people, our own culture and society, our commons. As Rivkin - economist and senior associate dean for research at the Harvard School of Business - says in the article:
It is a tricky moment. I really see us at a crossroads with two pathways. The current path is one where federal policy makers squabble for partisan gains, delay tough choices, and make America a less attractive place to compete. Business leaders pursue their narrow short-term interest and free ride off each other's investments—the business environment deteriorates, businesses leave America, the government enacts anti-business policies, companies reduce their U.S. activities further, and distrust deepens.
There is however another, far-better path possible. Federal policy makers put their long-term fiscal house in order, invest in infrastructure, enact policies that make America a great place to do business. Business leaders recognizing their long-run interest is in a vibrant commons take steps to build a skilled workforce, to upgrade local suppliers, to foster innovation, to reinforce education. The productivity gains enable firms in the U.S. to win in the global market place while also creating jobs that lift living standards. And then with robust growth, government and business gather the resources to reinvest in making the business environment better and better over time.
The United States government - and more, the people of the United States - need to reestablish the value of the commons and invest in its growth. Otherwise, I guess I can move to South Korea. :/
