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To: Willie Green
I think you are overlooking the role of politics. It was still German princes who had completely selfish/economic motives to back Luther just as the Southern Agrarians Aristocrats resisted high, protectionist tariffs, favored by a new urban Industrialist elite that had settled in the North.
16 posted on 07/11/2002 10:46:48 AM PDT by JohnGalt
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To: JohnGalt
I think you are overlooking the role of politics. It was still German princes who had completely selfish/economic motives to back Luther...

LOL!!! No, now it is you who is argueing "the minutiae of troop movements in the Sahara Desert".

It is generally acknowledged that the "Information Age" brought about by the printing press precipitated the social change of the Protestant Reformation. A strong case can also be made that the flow of thought and ideas enabled subsequent socio-political changes also, as disparity between the "haves and have-nots" became more readily apparent: the rejection of the European feudal system and monarchies, etc. Indeed, it even laid the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution.

No doubt social and economic change are closely intertwined and influence each other. But as stated previously, the impact of improved communication should not be mistakingly thought to have economic influence. The primary affect is social, ANYBODY can make use of the new "tools". The economic impact at this point in time is unknown, But it is my opinion that the social upheaval will transcend the economic nirvana envisioned by the wealthy elite. (An observation or prediction, not a wish or desire on my part.)

18 posted on 07/11/2002 11:30:04 AM PDT by Willie Green
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