Status Competition

Completely agree.

Yet there are 10s of millions of people across the entire spectrum of sociology's categories who either disagree, and/or do not have the slightest idea what you are talking about. When I put that fact into the intellectual mix--and make myself the "transcendent" observer---it creates cognitive dissonance in me.

Perhaps it is the facts themselves which are in dispute--for example, "we really are not a nation which seeks redistribution", or something like that.

It's a mystery to me.

> The alleged goal of reducing economic inequality is trumpeted by people who want to strengthen inequality of political power.

I consider myself a "Progressive", but I would nominate your statement as "Really Existing Progressivism described in 25 words or less".

Add ", serving themselves" to the end, and you got a winner.

Anyone who claims to be "Progressive" should explicitly state how they will avoid (or at least mitigate) a self-serving political regime. It is hardly "Progressivism" if the only thing guaranteed is self-serving arrangements by the well-connected self-described "progressives".

One may plausibly question the assertion that the U S electorate does not *seek* politicaly determined redistribution.

They certainly have been making no efforts to avoid that; have generally reinforced those who foment it - and - generally when it falls to them personally, revel in it, like dogs in manure seeking and wrongly expecting relief from fleas and pests.

R. Richard Schweitzer

"The alleged goal of reducing economic inequality is trumpeted by people who want to strengthen inequality of political power." So true, going to have to write this one down.

I think that it is a great thing that those in this country who wish to advance can do so by increasing their financial status through hard work and determination. The ability for the lower class to raise their status through the work of their own hands is one of the best aspects of America and something that should be encouraged, not looked down upon. If there were no room for advancement in our society, then I feel like nothing would be accomplished due to the lack of incentive.
It is this desire to move forward in society, economically and socially, that draws entrepreneurs into the market world and keeps the spirit of competition thriving. Without competition our markets would have to result to monopoly control and as we have learned in Microeconomics this is not the most efficient way for a market to run.