NotPC presents two choices for us to consider: The evil warrior class and the peace creating trader class. Warriors bad, Traders good. Then he acknowledges that warriors are revered (for all the wrong reasons) and traders ignored (until there's a good sale on). That has an element of injustice to it, when we should be thanking traders for exchanging goods for money.
I agree with half his argument. Trade is good for peace. A trading culture does bring massive benefits, but setting up a battle between good trader and evil warrior is a losing proposition to me. Here's why:
The comparison is selective.
The "trader culture" could also be limited to discussing greedy monopolists that merely pretend to offer a fair bargain, in the same way NotPC presents warriors as plunderers.
Instead, I suggest it is the "trader culture" versus the "plunderer culture" and then this would include all forms of plunder - armed robbery and economic aggression, monopolistic practices and various forms of extortion that can be as devastating.
The warrior culture is respected and revered because it is founded on the concept of sacrifice and risking of ones lives for higher values - the protection of family, of communities and of the weak. A willingness to die in the defence of others is something worthy of respect and gratitude.
The traders appear simply jealous that their noble sacrifice of offering 10% discount isn't treated with the same gravitas as the man who risked his life, and lost comrades defending all that he held dear.
I'll repeat this again - the warriors are not the enemy. Indeed, NotPC goes on to say that traders produced their own warrior class for protecting freedom. What convoluted thinking is this, to say warriors are only good when controlled by traders? It's a needless contradiction, because warriors are not the enemy here.
There are traders, warriors and plunderers. It's the plunderer that is the enemy of the trader, and eternal foe of the warrior.
Plunder takes many forms, and must be fought. Equally, trade must be backed with a willingness to enforce the rule of law (which is actually enforced by warriors), and only then a just marketplace can be protected from plunderers.
Given that ANZAC day has just past, NotPC might wish to reflect on the aspect of the warrior class this article has managed to disrespect.
For Sale: Three Horses for a Sword
I agree with half his argument. Trade is good for peace. A trading culture does bring massive benefits, but setting up a battle between good trader and evil warrior is a losing proposition to me. Here's why:
The comparison is selective.
The "trader culture" could also be limited to discussing greedy monopolists that merely pretend to offer a fair bargain, in the same way NotPC presents warriors as plunderers.
Instead, I suggest it is the "trader culture" versus the "plunderer culture" and then this would include all forms of plunder - armed robbery and economic aggression, monopolistic practices and various forms of extortion that can be as devastating.
The warrior culture is respected and revered because it is founded on the concept of sacrifice and risking of ones lives for higher values - the protection of family, of communities and of the weak. A willingness to die in the defence of others is something worthy of respect and gratitude.
The traders appear simply jealous that their noble sacrifice of offering 10% discount isn't treated with the same gravitas as the man who risked his life, and lost comrades defending all that he held dear.
I'll repeat this again - the warriors are not the enemy. Indeed, NotPC goes on to say that traders produced their own warrior class for protecting freedom. What convoluted thinking is this, to say warriors are only good when controlled by traders? It's a needless contradiction, because warriors are not the enemy here.
There are traders, warriors and plunderers. It's the plunderer that is the enemy of the trader, and eternal foe of the warrior.
Plunder takes many forms, and must be fought. Equally, trade must be backed with a willingness to enforce the rule of law (which is actually enforced by warriors), and only then a just marketplace can be protected from plunderers.
Given that ANZAC day has just past, NotPC might wish to reflect on the aspect of the warrior class this article has managed to disrespect.
For Sale: Three Horses for a Sword