Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Principle of Duality: The Final Take

The Society

“It is practically impossible to determine the position and momentum simultaneously for a particle as small as an electron.” This is the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in simple words. Louis De Broglie suggested that everything be it matter or energy displays both wave and a particle behavior. The degree to which the wave or particle properties are dominant depends on the mass of the body. This concept actually suggests that basic properties displayed by an electron would be identical to how a person behaves in a larger setup say a ‘Society’. The relation between electrons in an atom or an atom in a molecule should be identical to an individual’s reaction towards society. The ultimate aim will always be the stability of the system either absolute or relative.
This comparison is really difficult to digest isn’t it? Let us pick some standard theories from science and social science (economics in this context) and try to compare them.
1. Energy States
According to Neil Bohr’s quantum mechanical model, an electron resides in its stable state depending upon its electronic configuration. When an electron is provided with the quantum of energy it jumps to the higher energy state (amount of energy supplied will be equal to the difference between two energy states). However the atom will not be stable in this state. The excited electron will try to come back to its initial state (stable state) by releasing a quantum of energy.
Theory of Minimum subsistence in simple words states that “Employer will give its employees the minimum wage that is sufficient for the employee and his family to sustain a healthy life.” If the employee receives more than the subsistence level, the system will shift itself in such a way so as to bring the wages back to the subsistence level. This will involve excess expenditure on part of employee and periodic market and demographic variables will act to justify the subsistence level of wages.
2. Demand Supply bonding.
Atom as an entity is unstable until it is from Noble Gas or inert space of periodic table. The instability of atom is accounted for vacant electron orbital in one of its energy level. This stability can be achieved either by accepting electros or losing them.
In open market a person is unstable as an individual. His instability can be accounted for his needs. This need can be fulfilled by other individual depending upon the type of need. This creates a Demand Supply chain. Ironically we do not have inert space in social world where one can be out of demand supply chain.
3. Theory of Marginal Utility
The Theory of marginal utility states that demand of a particular type of commodity decreases with an increase in supply.
The same applies to atoms as well. The requirement to gain or lose an electron reduces with the process of acceptance or removal of electrons.

These are few theories where we can draw parallel between the macro world and micro particles. We behave the same way as the smallest entity works. The results just sums up. If you now remember the discussion point of ‘The Money’ section, it was commented that total amount of money or tradable asset is constant throughout the world. A similar theory rather better known exists for energy. The total amount of energy is constant in universe. The energy cannot be generated rather can be converted from one form to another. The flow of energy happens only from a higher energy state to Lower energy state. Same is the case with money as well. The Currency flow happens always when there is a potential difference for that flow. All the economic theories are designed to keep this difference alive. The moment this difference reaches a stable state,( which is a very vague term as it does not mean that everyone has equal currency rather the demand of that sector has reached saturation) economists have to incorporate certain reforms to disturb this equilibrium, the Catalyst.

Thus it does not matter what faculty we belong we can always understand the nature of elements and society if we understand anyone of the subject. The same rules applies everywhere, all we need to know is how to add things.
This finishes the Principal of Duality series. I came across a very interesting quote about economics which I think of sharing with you all
“Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it”