Solve et Coagulum: "The Enabling State"

On my most recent excursion to London, I was browsing the book store for something to read and I picked up this book. In surveys 37% of people considered that their job provided no benefit to humanity whatsoever.

Clearly the number of people whose work is of no value is a lot higher than this, but it was surprising to note that 37% of people were not only aware of this but actually continued to carry out the pointless exercise solely for material gain.

The more interesting observation was the social stratification which is prevalent in the modern world which can be basically summarised as:

"The Underclass": People who live solely on benefits

"Those who provide genuine services": Chefs, Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, Poets, Musicians etc.

"Those with Bullshit Jobs": Lawyers, Accountants, Analysts

"The 1%": Those who benefit from the system as it is.

Fundamentally, the Underclass perform a very much under-rated role in our society; without "the needy" no one would have the opportunity to do good. They may be castigated and criticised but our entire society depends upon their existence and their numbers have swelled in response to the demand for their services.

The concept of "the Enabling State" underpinned much of the development of the Welfare state from 1906 (motivated by the shocking performance of the British troops in the Boer War) through 1945 and to the modern day.

"Enabling" though, at least in terms of dealing with alcoholism, is defined as doing things for an alcoholic that they normally could and would do for themselves if they were sober. In contrast, helping is doing something that the alcoholic could not or would not do for themselves if sober. Helping does not protect an alcoholic from the consequences of his or her actions.

Anything that you do that does protect the alcoholic or addict from the consequences of his or her actions, could be enabling him to delay a decision to get help for their problem. Therefore, it's in the best interest of the alcoholic, in the long run, if you stop whatever you are doing to enable them. 

Enabling is not helping.

The decline of humanity has gone hand in hand with the expansion of the state. They are not simply "bullshit jobs"; there are jobs which actually work to the detriment of humanity.