Janet CollinsPoliticians and Pay
April 28th 2009 21:26
I have never really gone along with the theory that just because you pay peanuts you get monkeys. At the same time, I don’t believe that if you simply pay politicians more money, that you improve the quality of political representation.
Government quality has been the subject of quite a few research studies recently. Some models suggest that higher pay attracts more talented people while others suggest that increased salaries will result in poorer quality politicians.
The publication of this research done in Brazil just happens to coincide with the contentious issue of a Bill before Federal Parliament at the moment increasing the annual electorate allowance of Federal MPs by $4,700 annually. Not surprisingly the Greens and South Australian Independent Senator Nick Xenophon are calling on the Government to block the increase.
What gets me with this whole thing is that thousands upon thousands are losing their jobs at the moment and many are losing their homes. Increases in politicians salaries or benefits are always contentious but at the moment it is scandalous. Apparently they think they can behave like some of the senior executives in our companies who have shown no concern or compassion for anyone else’s plight except their own.
All these people were paid enormous amounts of money. Did that lead to better quality executives? The proof is surely in the pudding.
Sourced: www.smh.com.au
Image: courtesy of wikimedia commons
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Janet Collins
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While most of us would think this, it has a few problems. First, politics would only attract people who already had substantial wealth.
Secondly, if someone came into this field without any money they would be so open to a bribe and that is probably why the parliamentary superannuation payments are far more generous that the average citizen.
It is a really nice thought though - that anyone in a decision making process could actually have no other motive other than what is best for everyone.
Thanks,
Janet
Comment by Morgan Bell
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although it seems like many wealthy people still choose politics for one reason or another
maybe they could means test eligibility, or appoint pollies via the jury duty system lol
Comment by Janet Collins
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Thanksf or the comment.