Jesus was a communist

[mantra.]

Capitalism was something that arose in England in the late 18th century. Nothing to do with the Jews. Preceding capitalism was mercantilism.

Obviously capitalism is a modern word - but what do you call this?

During Solomon's long reign of 40 years the Hebrew monarchy gained its highest splendour. This period has well been called the "Augustan age" of the Jewish annals. In a single year he collected tribute amounting to 666 talents of gold, according to 1 Kings 10:13. The first half of his reign was, however, by far the brighter and more prosperous; the latter half was clouded by the idolatries into which he fell, mainly, accordingh to the scribes, from his intermarriages. According to 1 Kings 11:3, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

and you say Monk

You needed stable government that could be trusted not to appropriate your assets before people started raising and investing capital--one reason the ME is such a wretched place despite all that oil wealth: too much arbitrary rule by princes etc. Also Islam acts to keep people back.

There is a good reason the ME is a wretched place - despite all that oil wealth - and we don't have to look much further than Israel, whose protectors run the Whitehouse.

[Jovial Monk]

A king levying tribute, not capitalism. Not just the word but the concept is new.

And that explains Saudi, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Kuwait. . .?

[mantra.]

A king levying tribute, not capitalism. Not just the word but the concept is new.

And that explains Saudi, ]Iran, Iraq, Libya, Kuwait. . .?

I'll have to look into the capitalism thing a bit further Monk - I saw some vague reference to mercantilism between the periods 450BC - 1500AD, but didn't explore them. In regards to ME countries - yes the Americans haven't interferred in every ME country that I know of, but I will have to confirm that as history isn't my favourite subject and my knowledge is patchy at best. But you have put Iraq on your list and the Americans have certainly interferred there.

[Jovial Monk]

Next Thursday ABC TV 8.30pm "The Ascent of Money"

The ME is a shithole because all the countries are run by dictators, warlords, mullahs, bandits or whatever.

[JW Frogen]

Mantra, I lived in the Middle East (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia), may I posit that their variable dysfunction is not caused by Israel, Israel is the punching bag they use to deflect the anger of their people for the poor living standards, despite their wealth.

The corruption is endemic, the hatred between different Islamic groups intense, the tribal nepotism older than Islam itself.

Israel is simply their get out of rational discourse free card.

[AiA in Atlanta]

Communists believe everything is about economics

No, economists believe everything is about economics.

[JW Frogen]

No, economists believe everything is about economics.

Except their pay out packages then it is about piracy.

Economics is more like "guidelines" really. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!