From: Damien R. Sullivan (phoenix@ugcs.caltech.edu)
Date: Sat Apr 25 1998 - 18:03:17 MDT
On Apr 25, 3:36pm, "Erik Moeller" wrote:
> Most social and economic models of today can be found in the far past.
> Primitive cultures often have councils or single leaders, the Roman Republic
> is often compared to democracy and so on. Although the names differ, there
> are not many possible power constellations and economic systems.
Details matter. Universal (including women) suffrage is recent. The English
common law developed over the past 1000 years. Fast communications make
things like credit cards and really large democracies possible which couldn't
have happened in the past.
> World history should give some examples for free markets in larger
> societies, if they were possible and useful. According to my knowledge, it
> doesn't.
Ideal free markets, no. Ideal versions of anything are rare. Widespread
private property and generally free exchange are common to all materially
prosperous societies. The freedom varies; so, in positive correlation, does
the adaptability of the society.
Arguing about anarchic free markets may be like arguing about the Singularity
coming in 8 years, catalyzed by a web browser. Interesting theory, but so out
of whack with current reality that it can't gain acceptance until it actually
happens.
-xx- GSV Polypedant X-)
"So how come we haven't seen real corporate warfare, then? or at least
assasinations 'n' (more) corporate espionage?"
You generally want to avoid getting local prosecutors involved. They
actually put people in jail, on occasion.
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