Second Essay

The basic instructions here are the same, so please, use direct quotes, contextualize your argument with the second unit's readings, cite any outside source (but please don't purposefully do additional research).

A new instruction: PLEASE DO NOT PROOF OR SHARE ANOTHER PERSON'S PAPER UNTIL YOU HAVE WRITTEN YOUR OWN. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO AVOID PLAGIARISM - WHICH IS NOT JUST THE DIRECT COPYING, BUT ALSO THE USE OF OTHER PEOPLE'S IDEAS AS YOUR OWN. THIS OFTEN CAN HAPPEN UNCONSCIOUSLY. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THIS IS TO WRITE YOUR OWN ARGUMENT BEFORE READING OTHER PEOPLE'S.

For this essay, I want you to focus upon the second group of readings and determine how you think a good society should organize their economic systems - or, as Carnegie posed it, what is the proper distribution of wealth?  Should a good society pursue a laissez-faire economic system? A controlled Keynsian system? a socialist economy?  Some combination? Or something as yet unproposed? Obviously, as we have discussed in class, this question is in part a moral one.  But it is also a practical one. Are the systems that  you find moral, possible, in your opinion? Be sure to interrogate your own ideas - what are the potential shortcomings? Why do you dismiss other possibilities?

Obviously, this is a complex question, and could be even better answered if you read a lot more.  That is not the goal. Instead, based upon our readings, what appeals to you as a good solution of this key problem? As with before, I want you to focus upon an answer that you think is REALISTIC, not one based upon some ideal world or ideal human type. 

Remember that the best essays, in any discipline, are those which  acknowledge and confront the best ideas that oppose their own.  So, if you think that Thoreau is way off base - don't just ignore him. Tell me why you think he is wrong.

As always, let me know if you have questions.