I’m not so sure about that. If you can’t be bothered to read my latest post, (I know it’s long), at least read the “Diamond in the rough” section at the end.
I don’t buy into geographical determinism. Jared Diamond is one of these social scientists who tries to play around with history when he isn’t probably trained in it. Now sometimes there are non-historians who actually do good historical work but the general rule is that these amateurs make up fanciful tales, use hearsay or gossip in order to construct history. I have not fully read Diamond but from what I have read he puts too much emphasis on geography. I also recall some reviews I read on his book which call into question some of his claims. I don’t have them in front of me but I for some reason am recalling something about how the construction of the plow existed in China but wasn’t utilized to the degree it was in Europe. Also I’m recalling how the Chinese constructed water clocks and how they were more accurate them the mechanical pieces in Europe. This was a few months ago so I am a bit hazy.
@John James: I read your entire post and I agree with what you’ve said… you yourself closed by saying that if he were exposed to some good Austrian materials, he might just become an anti-statist. I was surprised by how open-minded Diamond is (in the documentary) since your typical academic is pretty heavily steeped in Marxist dogma.
Clayton -
That’s a bit of a harsh way to put it I think. For all we know he may very well be a minarchist…But based on the way he talks, I doubt he’s that far along…but even in his case I’m not sure I go so far as to label him a “statist”…and I definitely would be averse to doing so with a minarchist, even if it could be considered technically correct by definition.
Likewise.