Dr. Manzur Ejaz
Courtesy: Wichaar, November 11th, 2009
One can detect the difference of behavioural patterns of the rich and powerful in the western and developing world. It is likely that the members (or their spouses) of the highest legislative bodies of the US would be going to stores for grocery shopping and to take care of other chores. Many of them can hardly afford domestic help. Therefore they remain close to the basic realities of their society.
Forty-six of the richest Germans have startled the world by posting an online petition asking their government to raise their taxes to help society out of the economic downturn. Similarly, when President Bush was cutting taxes for the rich Americans Warren Buffet, one of the richest US investors protested and said that he is already paying lower taxes than his secretary. Why do some rich people in western countries, unlike their counterparts in countries like Pakistan, preach higher taxes for themselves?
Most probably the western rich class, or part of it, believes that they are an organic part of society. Probably they feel that if society gets sick, their well being will be jeopardised as well. On the contrary, the rich in countries like Pakistan are used to the impoverishment of the general masses. They do not relate to society as an organic whole and consider themselves a separate category from it. Consequently, when the economic conditions deteriorate and the general public suffers, they remain unconcerned. As a matter of fact they thrive on the impoverishment of the common man.
