Good society

Is it possible that post-independent Scotland’s “ethics of economics and business” would be different, as Gerry Hassan 
suggests (Perspective, 4 May)?

Take, for example, the current issue about the unequal distribution of income and wealth in society.

Will modern economic theory drop a commitment to “impersonal market forces” justifying economic and business life?

Arguably, unless “fairness of reward for effort” replaces market forces it is unlikely anything will change. Hence ethical economics ­begins with fairness and takes into account differences in knowledge, skill and scarcity.

Presumably, however, achieving the “Scottish good society” depends on the political will to bring it about.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie