To: letters@guardian.co.uk
Re: The rich are a threat to themselves
Date: Wednesday, 23 November 05

 
Dear Editor,
 
I liked Jonathan Freedland's comment in today's Guardian about the need to "do something about the rich", but he is missing the root cause of the problem: a socio-economic order (environment), in which we all have our niches, on which we all depend, but which developed from and is thus deeply rooted in our "more animal than human " nature - unsurprisingly, in view of what Darwin is supposed to have taught us about human origins; but much like Christian fundamentalists, no one, it seems, whether leftwing liberal or rightwing Conservative, wants to face up to the implications.
 
Throughout recorded history, civilisations have been characterised by massive differences in wealth, but as we now approach the limits of our planet's carrying capacity we have no choice, if we want our children and future generations to survive, but to put an end to it.
 
How? By creating an alternative socio-economic order that is rooted in our more enlightened human nature. And not being too long about it.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Roger Hicks