Response to Jarred Diamond

Latest work in the salvo of ideas about how the West become the predominant center of political and economic and, dare I say cultural?, power in the world from former Prof. Rodney Stark.

But the provocation doesn't end at the title. Stark, formerly professor of sociology and comparative religion at the University of Washington for more than 30 years, now at Baylor, amasses considerable evidence in support of his theory and isn't afraid to speak his mind. While Diamond examined geographical and environmental factors leading to Western hegemony, Stark argues that ideas trump geography, in particular that Christianity's emphasis on reason was key to the development of Europe.

For me this is the interesting aspect of Stark's work, and one that might stoke my inclination to read the work is this tidbit from the review.

Stark then explores the growth of capitalism from northern Italy to Flanders, Amsterdam and England, and presents case studies of early France and Spain where capitalism didn't take strong root. Along the way Stark finds no evidence for Weber's idea that Protestantism was essential to the growth of capitalism. He maintains that capitalism began under Catholicism, in the rational management of medieval monastic estates, and flourished in Italy long before Luther nailed his theses to a church door. Finally, Stark tests his theories against New World history, covering well-worn ground on the political and economic differences between North and Latin Americas.

Diamond's thesis about geographic considerations determine history has major flaws (600 pound gorilla-- the history of ancient China), but it is the best and most effective way of explaining the rise of the West. Always good to read works contrary to Diamond though.