Re: Anarchy and spontaneous order in business and education

Perry E. Metzger (perry@piermont.com)
Sat, 19 Jul 1997 16:19:13 -0400


[Delayed by DNS problems...]

> From: James Rogers <jamesr@best.com>
>
> This model assumes that everyone operates as an independent contractor. My
> favorite aspects of this model is that it would make the work environment
> very market driven. It would allow rapid and accurate adjustments in wages
> as the market changed and as job requirements changed. However, the
> current structure of business is too rigid to adapt to such a fluid and
> equilibrium sensitive job model. I do know of (and have worked for) a
> couple small companies that actually operate this way.

Unfortunately, such companies would almsot certainly be torn apart by
IRS regulations concerning who is and is not considered an employee
for tax purposes. Operating as an independant contractor is highly
discouraged by the tax laws. Do too much work for one entity, and
suddenly both you and they will be in trouble with the IRS.

As someone who makes his living doing consulting work, I'm acutely
aware of the issues involved...

Perry