Description
So, in assessment 2, we reflected on a particular case involving great wealth – the fact that Elon Musk’s net worth increased by about ZAR 12 billion a day over the course of 2024. In assessment 3, we reflected on very severe poverty and abuse in the supply chain of a global commodity – cobalt.
In this assessment we are going to think about the possibility that these two issues – great wealth and great poverty – might be linked by focusing on the proposal in Assessment 1 that:
“The wealth of a few depends on the poverty of many.”
To make this possibility really come alive though, we want you to consider two of the questions in assessment 1 together:
“Of the top 10 wealthiest people (all men), eight are tech billionaires. Their net worth is US$ 1.6 trillion or ZAR 31 trillion”
(To put this into a bit of perspective, the South African Government Employee Pension Fund, South Africa’s biggest asset owner has somewhere between ZAR 2 and ZAR 3 trillion.)
AND
“60% of the world’s cobalt is mined in the DRC. Significant amounts of this is mined under appalling conditions, often by child labourers.”
Why is this important?
INSTRUCTIONS:
If you haven’t already done it, please go to the AT A CROSSROAD section and do Assessment 1 now.
YOU MAY GET 0 (ZERO) FOR THIS ASSESSMENT IF YOU HAVE NOT SUBMITTED YOUR ASSESSMENT 1.
Step 1: Answer the question “Is this ok?”
In the discussion forum below, write an answer to the question posed above: “Is this ok?”.
Your answer must contain the following sections:
- An analysis of the inequalities described above (child labour and tech billionaires) using ALL of John Rawls’ principles in their correct order (remember that the order is very important);
- A thorough analysis of the inequality described using John Rawls’ veil of ignorance;
- Your opinion on the inequality described; and
- Your explanation of why you hold this opinion
From your answers to 1 and 2, we must be left in no doubt that you have actually understood the concepts. This means that you will need to apply the concepts to the scenario. Just defining them won’t cut it! If we cannot see this understanding you will not pass this assessment.
Step 2: Comment on other students’ submissions
- That’s what you have to do. But as usual, you might also feel obliged to comment on other people’s contributions. Great stuff!!
- And remember that we can give extra marks for gripping discussion.
- And of course, don’t forget the rules of engagement when you comment.
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