Assignment #1

A.  Identify Diamond’s major themes and key points

      Diamond displays multiple themes in the article in order to disprove the racist views about society development. The racist perspective is that some races are genetically inferior. Such inferiority prevents achieving high levels of education for example. Races lacking intellects are dominated. Diamond manages to refute popular belief by explaining alternative causes for the differences in economies worldwide with real examples.

In the article, early Europe, which was at the forefront for centuries, is compared to the “unfortunate” locations in the world. The main roots of the various economic growth rates according to Diamond are due to the different advancement rates of technological and immunization of diseases, a common written Language, historical accounts, and domestication of animals and plants. Europe had superior conditions for the development of the variables affecting economic growth rate.

Diamond’s main focus of the article was to discuss domestication of animals and plants and immunization. Towards the end of the article Diamond discusses how fortunate Europe is because the climate is nearly consistent throughout. Climate consistency permits the spread of domesticated plants and animals. Since domesticated products were easy to spread, societies were more accepting of new ideas.

B.   What does he identify as the most important determinants to a society’s success?

           

       According to the article, domestication of animals/crops and improved immune systems had the greatest impact on the economy. In Europe, domestication of animals/crops allowed farmers to organize and cultivate land efficiently, which eventually led to a surplus of crops. Since there was a surplus of crops, many citizens were unwaged and free to explore novel crafts and learning (such as silversmithing, blacksmithing, oceanography). The new crafts not only allowed for superior economic development, but also allowed for races to have advanced weaponry and transportation.
       The improved immune system prevented the eradication of entire races. As the immune system of some races improved, diseases became less of a hindrance. However, when the race with improved immunity visited foreign races, the diseases became rampant among the foreign races. Diseases along with advanced weaponry allowed the highly developed societies to become successful.

C.   How can these ideas be applied to today’s global economy?

       The economy of a country today depends upon the efficiency in manufacturing goods in an organized manner, the citizens’ health and education, and the ability to exchange new ideas and concepts globally. The highly developed countries, such as in Western Europe and the United States, are highly advanced in the sectors of education, health, and trade. The lesser-developed countries not only have inadequate education, health, and trade, but also are also resistant to accepting new concepts and ideas. Most lesser developed countries tend to hold to traditional/older beliefs which makes economic growth rates low.