The Choice Part II

“To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”

Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Winner Recipient

While there are several definitions of “socioeconomics”, for the purpose of this blog socioeconomics will be defined as the relation of economics to social values.   The discussions will examine the reciprocal relationship between economic science and social philosophy, politics, environmental ethics, and human dignity.  That being said, this refines that definitive “choice” discussed in the previous post (The Choice Part I) to one of economics, but does not detract from its weight.  On the contrary, if someone is true to what they value, it expands the one choice made to involve every economic decision in front of them.  They will become socially accountable for every purchase, donation, loan and taxation expended.  A consumer cannot decide not to affect society with their expenditures.   The choice is whether or not to take on the mantle of responsibility or to relinquish it to an authority and forfeit the right to choose. 

For those who understand and choose to take responsibility for their choice, it’ll require of them an acute social awareness, ongoing education, a desire to affect change and consumer savvy.   For those who do not care to choose or who prefer to not be burdened the road will be easy.  However, it was once said that when two paths diverge, one will be easy.  And it’s only reward will be that it’s easy.  

For Discussion:

1)      What does it mean to be socially accountable?  

2)      What are some of the ways the economic decisions of the individual affect society as a whole?  

3)      What are some of the influences driving consumer decisions on how to manage their expenditures?

4)      Are you someone who values choice and consider yourself “socially accountable” in your expenditures?   Or not, and if not, “why not”?