I agree with the comment below, that it is largely cultural - communitarian vs individualist values, and there could be both a Marxist and a Chinese norm to value communitarian values and frown on individualist ones.
Roemer's model also reminds me of our current American Democrat fetish for economic wonkery, like a means test. I can imagine an "intersectionalist" Democrat working out the precise norm for the subgroup (i.e. what if i'm a disabled senior woman)... this would get silly fast.
What's so surprising? Why all the !!! ? The Chinese model is based on community; Roemer's on individualism. But which in the end is more of a straitjacket, more micromanaged, turning individuals into cogs? Protestant scholastic liberalism is perverse. Even the first editor of the collected works of Bentham thought it was all a bit much.
The solution to the problem of the Chinese downside of lower production is increased pay based on increased average of the group. Maybe the slowest worker talks too much, so have him talk and amuse everyone else while they work.
I agree with the comment below, that it is largely cultural - communitarian vs individualist values, and there could be both a Marxist and a Chinese norm to value communitarian values and frown on individualist ones.
Roemer's model also reminds me of our current American Democrat fetish for economic wonkery, like a means test. I can imagine an "intersectionalist" Democrat working out the precise norm for the subgroup (i.e. what if i'm a disabled senior woman)... this would get silly fast.
What's so surprising? Why all the !!! ? The Chinese model is based on community; Roemer's on individualism. But which in the end is more of a straitjacket, more micromanaged, turning individuals into cogs? Protestant scholastic liberalism is perverse. Even the first editor of the collected works of Bentham thought it was all a bit much.
The solution to the problem of the Chinese downside of lower production is increased pay based on increased average of the group. Maybe the slowest worker talks too much, so have him talk and amuse everyone else while they work.
Was there any immaterial reward in Beijing for individual effort, such as collective recognition for those who increase average production?