Originally posted by Atobe:
The wage disparity between
the different disciplines is a reflection of the values that the
industry places on such skills vis-a-vis their perceived need to
control or balance the cost structures of products or service
output, against the human input.
Is it any wonder that those disciplines that are essential parts of
the service or industry process will dictate the wages to be lower,
as compared to that of a Lawyer, whose services are independent and
have no direct input or influence to the outcome of the services or
product of any industry.
When one needs a Lawyer, one is already locked by circumstances
that leaves oneself at the mercy of the Lawyer.
Despite the limits to legal fees that are guided by the Law
Society, it is simply amazing how the Law Firms can demand such
high fees to represent even a simple case.
When the 'Dollar Value' of
any case becomes significant, the legal fees will become even more
substantial.
With a Legal System - in Singapore - that clocks its administration
of Justice by monitoring the costs of the infrastructure and
manpower to attend to any legal matters, is it any wonder that the
Legal Profession has become the most profitable occupation ?
Is Singapore any different from UK, in terms of job opportunities
and remuneration package for those who graduate in the various
disciplines ?
If [b]the value of
money is the denominator and arbiter as to who is
termed an Elite, is it any
wonder if the legal mind of the POWER OF ONE has pushed its own
salary into the stratosphere ?
Does meritocracy come into the equation ?
[/b]
It's interesting that you should mention that, Atobe. I'm sure
that you would be aware that Roman advocates in 204 BC were
prohibited from taking fees in exchange for their services. Of
course, these days ambulance chasers have changed that situation
and the conduct of the medical profession can also arguably be said
to conform to the Hypocritical Oath.
That said, we need to acknowledge that the workings of the world
have changed and unless the concept of money is eliminated
altogether, the talent will go where the money is. Max Weber's
theory seems to hold water, insofar as status has supplanted class
in societal structure. The best we can hope for is that some
vestige of morals and ethics remain, although noblesse oblige is
more likely what we end up being stuck with.
