News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life into Cobalt, the town. Parent comment

Re:Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life... by bryanlarsen on Tuesday October 31, 2017 @08:38AM (#15592747)
Sure but the best way to get government to enact regulations is to have citizens who want the government to enact such regulations. And the best way to get citizens to care is to raise their standard of living.

Studies have found that caring seems to start at about a GDP per capita of $10K or so.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life... by Matt3o12_ on Tuesday October 31, 2017 @08:53AM (#15592820)
I meant that western government (US, and Europe) enact such regulations for imported goods.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life... by afarrell on Wednesday November 01, 2017 @06:36AM (#15600027)
> is to have citizens who want the government to enact such regulations

The depends on the size of the coalition that the government's power depends on. If the government needs the support 25% of voting citizens (a majority of legislators, each elected by a majority of constituents), then the citizens can likely pruessure their government to do something.

If the government's power depends on 300 high-ranking administrators and military officers, then it would be stupid of a ruler to enact such legislation. Doing so would reduce the amount of money flowing into government coffers and would threaten their ability to lavishly reward the generals. That could lead to a coup and to the death of the ruler.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life... by josinalvo on Tuesday October 31, 2017 @11:24AM (#15593893)
Would you share those studies?

Seems intuitive that there is a minimum threshold of confort for political participation

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life... by lotyrin on Tuesday October 31, 2017 @06:32PM (#15597201)
Both minimum and maximum levels of comfort (bread & circuses).
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Renewed demand for the metal cobalt is breathing new life... by dmix on Tuesday October 31, 2017 @10:10AM (#15593328)
> And the best way to get citizens to care is to raise their standard of living.

As in other countries should raise their standard of living? Or internally?

[ Parent | on HN ]