[ohanian]

Professor Ferguson argues that institutions determine the success or failure of nations.

Why, after around 1500, did Western civilisation – as found in the quarrelsome petty states of Western Eurasia and their colonies of settlement in the New World – fare so much better than other civilisations? From the 1500s until the late 1970s, there was an astonishing divergence in global living standards, as Westerners became far richer than, well, Resterners. Five hundred years ago, the average Chinese was probably a bit better off than the average North American. By 1978, the average American was at least 22 times richer than the average Chinese.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/rad ... -0930a.mp3

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/rad ... -0930a.mp3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01jmx0 ... transcript

[TommyJefferson]

Why, after around 1500, did Western civilisation – as found in the quarrelsome petty states of Western Eurasia and their colonies of settlement in the New World – fare so much better than other civilisations?

Because we had better weapons and could take their wealth.

[Pops]

1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue...

and found lots of resources for the taking.

[glaucus]

Add one teaspoon of guns, a pinch of germs and a dab of steel to a bowl. Stir contents while pouring a quart of fossil fuels over the course of 500 years. Season to taste. Serves all of humanity.

[Schweinshaxe]

I love this thread!



I have nothing to add to the discussion since the topic is too complicated and abstract to me at this moment. I'm going to detox next week so its possible that the brain-fog will disappear gradually so that I can take part in the discussion.

I'd like to ask this though: is it possible that the Swedish superiority has anything to do with extraterrestrial technology? Like if a Swedish king had contact with a race from another solar system many hundred years ago? I think I may have found evidence for an extraterrestrial presence here in Europe.

Thank you!