Liberalism, the Only True Humanism

Liberalism is often criticized because it is said that it is concerned only by economic problems (and not more general human problems) and because it is in favor of selfishness. This is wrong and, in fact, liberalism is, on the contrary, the necessary consequence of a universal and valid conception of ethics. The foundation of liberalism consists in the fact that everyone must be respectful of the legitimate rights of any person (as regards, for instance, his body, his mind, and his legitimate property rights). Therefore, it implies that one ought to be respectful of another person either if this person is generous or if he is selfish (one is not obliged to be selfish, but one has the right to be selfish). Thus, liberalism is founded on the fundamental universal ethics and it is respectful of the individual conceptions of personal ethics. It is not in favor of selfishness, but in favor of individualism. This is why it must be said that liberalism is the only humanistic approach of social problems. However, many people consider that it is ethically justified to impose a redistribution policy to decrease so-called “social inequalities.” But, so doing, a state is not respectful of the legitimate property rights of those who are obliged by legal constraint to pay taxes. A voluntary distribution of resources from individuals who give part of their legitimate resources to other individuals is ethically justified. But it is not the case whenever this transfer of resources is made by using coercion. And it must be added that it has negative consequences. Those who benefit from the redistribution policy are less induced to make productive efforts. And those who have to pay the taxes are also less induced to develop their productive activities. Therefore, the production of resources is diminished by the redistribution policy and all the members of a society (for instance a country) suffer from this non-ethical policy.

Africa’s Journey to Industrialization

This chapter examines the history of other nations in achieving rapid industrialization, explains the scientific processes involved, as well as developing a model to guide Nigerians in curbing mass unemployment. This industrialized countries where selected randomly from the pool of industrialized nations, to represent the different continents. Their journey to industrialization was studied and itemized to help developing countries design a unique strategy to curb mass unemployment. The chapter adopts historical analysis to gather evidence and formulate ideas from the past and empirical analysis by direct and indirect observation. The data used in this study were both primary and secondary. The results of the study were descriptive in nature. The study revealed several models that would guide Nigerians to achieving industrialization. In conclusion, the principles and strategy applied by the industrialized nations for achieving industrialization and curbing mass unemployment is learning: theory and practical. Learning: proper education and training on how to manufacture products promotes industrialization, productivity and create job opportunities. The study emphasizes education and training as the principal learning tools for increasing employment in quantity and quality and promoting improved productivity.

Chile in Times of Pandemic

This chapter provides an overview of the economic impact in Chile caused by Covid −19, the evolution of the Chilean economy in a compact and direct view. The restrictions imposed on consumption and production, as well as the decline of private investment are be the main obstacles that will keep the country from growing, exacerbated by the consequences on labor activity; on the other hand, the increase in public spending helps to counteract these effects, but only to a certain extent. We will consider a brief look at the political situation in the country, since the Chilean economy was in a vulnerable position at the time of receiving the pandemic with an economic contraction of 4.1% in the last quarter of 2019, as the result of the social crisis triggered in October of the mentioned year. The following aspects will be developed which include quantitative information about; Chilean economic situation, making reference and taking comparative parameters to the foreign sector, public sector, fiscal policy and monetary policy. Economic prospects and political situation.