Treatise on work ethic and an unholy drive for enrichment

Max Weber born in Erfurt Germany in 1864, was a German sociologist and political economist who was one of the central figures in the development of sociology.  His ideas continue to influence social and work ethics and research.  Weber wrote that the 'spirit of capitalism' does not refer to the spirit in the metaphysical sense but rather a set of values, the spirit of hard work and progress.

In theory, good ethic means a desire to do a task well, being vigilant and organized. This serves as the foundation for values centred on the importance of clerical work or industrious work.  Ideally the state creates a rewarding routine/system by engaging in tasks workers how provide strength and energy which can be transferred to ultimate goals, creating a habit and a habitat for success and a fair society.

Proponents of a strong work ethic consider it to be important for achieving goals, as it gives strength to proper orientation and the right mindset.  According to Weber, a work ethic is a set of moral principles a person uses in their job.  People who possess a strong work ethic embody certain principles that guide their work behaviour; naturally a strong work ethic will result in the production of high-quality work which is consistent and rewarding.

Taking an opposite view, consider how a negative work ethic is a behaviour of a single individual or a group that has led to a systematic lack of productivity, reliability, accountability and a growing sphere of unprofessional/unhealthy relationships.  For the past decade, definitely by securing through political strings a cushy job in public office which carries no merit but comes with excellent hybrid working conditions, perks, apart from job security does not inculcate a rewarding work ethic.

Locally readers have protested on the appointment of nephews, wives, cousins and friends of elite political office holders; the latter blatantly abusing of the system continue to award jobs (or multiple tenders by direct order) to less qualifying and incapable persons (often at comparatively high salaries and perks). The counter argument touches on how anti-capitalists view the concept of work ethic and hard work saying that this deludes the working class into becoming servants to well heeled society thus creating more wealth to a social stratum at the top of the economic pyramid.  The latter continuously prance in front of cameras, deliver podcasts so as to remain visible to their political masters. What is the gripping narrative on this abuse prevailing in Malta?  I found the commentaries by Colm Regan, an activist very poignant.

Allow me permission to quote him. He writes that a country like Malta is an enigma. It is both underdeveloped and overdeveloped at the same time; it can appear to be simultaneously underpopulated with respect of technical workers and harbouring thousands of low-paid, low-skilled third country nationals. Colm thinks and believes that on paper, Malta is one of Europe’s pre-eminent success stories and yet, even a cursory glimpse of the myth, reveals it to be little more than a mirage, a very expensively manufactured mirage. In his opinion, we are currently, experiencing mirages about many issues which illustrate the high degree of delusion that afflicts natives. Mention unprecedented property development and induced faster rate of economic development. 

One heeds Colm, writing about being completely disconnected from the ‘big story’ of ongoing national growth. Language and concepts are turned inside out as vices become camouflaged as virtues routinely to the point where the undiscerning can no longer tell the difference between the two. Here, we can refer back to Weber on the degradation of work ethics and unbridled capitalistic quest of profit feeding voraciously on greed. 

Many writers have voiced their concern how the meteoric rise in affluence has blunted our pride about honest enrichment and some continue to become immune to abuse of power by oligarchs who lord over their cosseted empires and rule the roost.  For instance, Colm writes about the propaganda that oozes daily from state TV and other government mouth pieces.  Such feel-good exercises regale the plebeians with a daily dosage of grandiose tasks and polished reports. 

Can we fail to mention many lavish gala film festivals and more recently a planned two-million-euro commemoration of the 50th anniversary of being a republic. Let us now turn to numbers. Regardless of over capacity, the state boasts on success of the burgeoning tourist industry.  The bonanza is highlighted on the airwaves.  NSO publishes statistics on burgeoning airport and tourist arrivals, new permits for hotels, more mega shopping malls, booming apartment constructions, 60 daily registrations of imported used/new ICE cars.  Little is mentioned that our annual high deficit needs attention yet otherwise- everything is gung-ho.  

Fitch Ratings has again affirmed Malta's 'A+' credit rating with a stable outlook, while surreptitiously drawing our attention to fiscal challenges that could pose risks in the future. Paradoxically with 80,000 persons declared to be on the poverty line, yet according to Fitch, the economy continues to show strong momentum, highlighting projected GDP growth of 5.7% this year (versus 0.8% for the Eurozone and 2% for other A-rated countries). The mimicry continues while the population grew exponentially with 78,000 imported TCN’s recruited by licensed temping agencies.

These live and toil hard on precarious living conditions.  Finally allow me to quote an authority, R. Buckminster Fuller; he laments how something is flawed in modern society.  In an age of unprecedented technological advancement, and AI dominance creeping in the work place, it makes little sense for anyone to spend their lives working in jobs that contribute little to human flourishing.  Technology has the potential to meet the needs of society without the need for widespread, monotonous reach for imported low-cost labour. The question arises - is our extensive education system providing enough technical workers to exploit the digital challenge? Only time will tell.

In summary, I humbly refer to seminal writings by Max Weber on work ethics linked to an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities for our country's nationals.