The Democratization of Indolence

The modern industrial state has created a phenomenon that I call the democratization of indolence. That is the expansion of the number of people who do not work for a living, but instead have their economic support provided by others. Once the preserve of the wealthy, freedom from the need to work has now grown to cover large numbers of every socioeconomic class is our society.

Historically, almost everyone labored for their sustenance, almost until the hour of their death. If you were too old and broken down for physical labor, you were taken in by your children to support. Almost the only exceptions were the landed gentry, whose lifestyles were supported by the possession of large estates. The cash flow from that capital base enabled a lifestyle freed from the requirement to hold down a job.

Two factors have enabled enormous growth in the number of people who are exempted from the need to work. The first factor has been the institution of social security, disability, and pension programs. If you are old enough, sick enough, or have worked at one place long enough, these programs guarantee you monthly cash payments for life.

The second factor has been the dramatic advances in medical knowledge of the last few decades. It used to be that retirement would last only a few years, if you reached that point, before some degenerative disease would take you out. But nowadays our medical abilities have advanced to the point that diseases can be arrested, or symptoms managed.

Clogged arteries? We can put in a stent, and you’ll have more energy than you’ve had in years. Cancer? Catch it early enough, and we can cure it, or at least put it into remission for years. Joints worn out? We can replace them, giving you decades of increased mobility. I even know some folks who are “disabled,” yet give few signs of it. After all, once you get on the free money train, why would you ever get off?

Consider the case of a 55 year old schoolteacher who retires after 30 years on the job. A reasonable expectation is a life expectancy of 85 years, meaning she will be supported without having to work for as long as she actually worked. And for much of that time she will be able to sustain a high level of vigorous activity. Or not. After all, I call this the democratization of indolence. The key is, our hypothetical schoolteacher now has the cash flow to support a life of leisure, and the health to pursue whatever interests tickle her fancy. An enviable position.

The problem is that the promises to pay were made before the advances in life expectancy came about. The system is in danger of breaking down, because it is financially unsupportable. In France, the government is proposing to increase the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62. The result has been large scale protests and a general strike. Everyone wants a life of financial freedom, even if someone else has to pay for it.

The economist Herbert Stein once famously remarked “if something cannot continue, it will stop.” Despite the amazing advances in productivity of the last century, our society will not support half the people working while the other half does not. So we can either find a solution to the problem and coast to a stop, or stop by hitting a brick wall. It’s like jumping off a tall building. It is not the fall that kills you. It is the sudden stop at the end.