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Entry: Postmodern, Not Hypermodern: Russell Kirk Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/postmodern_not_hypermodern_russell_kirk#14973 Post contents: When I started reading these posts about genetics, race and culture I wanted to suggest you read Thomas Sowell's books on Race and Culture. He documents pretty well the fact that native intelligence--the genetic mix--varies very little among human groups. Knowledge, or acquired learning varies greatly based on the environment--culture--of the group. The same person raised among the aborigines of Australia as compared to a properous American suburb will reflect his culture inspite of his genetic, inherited IQ. Most of the vitriolic postings ignore the distinction between "intelligence" and acquired knowledge. They blur the distinction which is why they come to no conclusion or agreement. Looking at historical case studies over the millennia there have been successful societies all around the globe, unaffected by race of genetics. The affluent ,erchants of the Eastern Empires were as "smart" as those in Venice, Timbuktu, Bombay, or everywhere along the Silk Road. The long-tern differences in success were determined by the cultures and belief systems of a few small groups. In "Common Genius," just published by Laissez Faire Books, I suggest that terms "Euro-Centric" history, or "white, western Christianity," be replaced by the term "Freedom-Centric Theory of History," because the long and segmnented path to modern affluent nations started back with the entrepreneurs of Phoenicia and sporadically advanced through Greece, Rome, the Basques, the Hnaseatic cities, Florence, Holland, Scotlad, England and finaly moved on toAmerica. Each of these stepping stones had one common denominator--they were smal isolated regions overlooked by major powers, with economic freedom allowing theri people to act freely and to lead relatively unfettered lives. They were no more intelligent than the people of Asia or Africa or micronesia, but they had freedom from oppressive authorities, both spiritual and secular--almost all other stagnant societies were burdened by aristocracies and over-regulated centralized governing structures. That is why we should call fro Freedom-Centric rule in the backward parts of the world. The mechanics of free enterprise and individual freedom are all that is required for a nation to advance. The people in Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong have fared as well as those in "The West" because they have employed the empowering principle of economic freedom. Their race and genetics are irrelevan and their success establishes that. Hernando de Soto's books also establish that the determing factor in a nation's progress is based on providing economic freedom to the common people--that any racial group will perform as well as another if just given the freedom to operate. This new theory of historical causation can be googles under "the Radzewicz Rule" and it supports basic conservative ideas about decentralized limited government. The theory also suggests that the growing regulatory burdens of Western nations will subvert their historic success and economic victories will flow to those nations such as the Asian Tigers that have adopted the winning strategy of free enterprise. Thus, the decline of the West is being brought on by centralized maternal governments dominated by populist poluticians who buy votes after brainwashing their electoratesinto thinking of themselves a victims instead of heros. Kirk's book on heroes is cited in "Common Genius" as support for these ideas and he deserves credit for working with Goldwater to re-establish the growing ideas of conservative limited government. Bill Greene (real name!) Sent at: 2008 07 24