Over the past few centuries, Western cultures have been very good at creating general prosperity for themselves. Historian Niall Ferguson asks: Why the West, and less so the rest? He suggests half a dozen big ideas from Western culture — call them the 6 killer apps — that promote wealth, stability and innovation. And in this new century, he says, these apps are all shareable.

History is a curious thing, and Niall Ferguson investigates not only what happened but why. (Hint: Politics and money explain a lot.)

From Ian Welsh’s Golden Laws of Prosperity 1. Implement policy which is as good for as many people as possible. 6. Enforce the doctrine of first sale. 10. Do not allow the private sector to pillage the social sector. 25. Enforce accountability on decision makers, especially corporate decision-makers. 31. Reduce barriers to entry in new [...]

People are naturally terrified when the economy is not growing. Technical change becomes the great evil, and gives people something concrete to blame for their economic woes. It also provides a handy scare tactic for those want to squeeze wages and workers, and a cover for politicians who push austerity policies and object to government [...]

Matt Taibbi writes: If you’ve ever been arrested on a drug charge, if you’ve ever spent even a day in jail for having a stem of marijuana in your pocket or “drug paraphernalia” in your gym bag, Assistant Attorney General and longtime Bill Clinton pal Lanny Breuer has a message for you: Bite me. Breuer [...]

Thomas Frank writes: There is a scene I always recall when I try to remember the exhilarating effect that Occupy Wall Street had on me when it was first getting going. I was on a subway train in Washington, D.C., reading an article about the protests in Zuccotti Park in Manhattan. It was three years [...]

Roldo Bartimole writes: Our pro-business, anti-union Gov. John Kasich is now trying a fast sprint to seem reasonable. He wants de-emphasize the use of corporate subsidies, according to the Columbus Dispatch. A bit late, Gov. The New York Times recently ran a major three-part series on how states are giving massive amounts of money (mostly [...]

Robert Reich writes: Among Rove’s investors was Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire who owns the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Adelson invested more than $100 million in the election, mostly on Republicans who lost – including $20 million that went to Romney’s super PAC “Restore Our Future,” $15 million to another super PAC that almost single-handedly kept [...]

Brandon Blackwell writes: Irony stung the Occupy Cleveland movement in October 2011 when about a dozen of its members were arrested in Public Square. Protesters were taken into custody for violating curfew near the statue of Cleveland’s 35th Mayor Tom L. Johnson — an effigy erected as a testament to free speech and assembly. But [...]

Robert Reich writes: Even this larger debate is just one part of what should be the central debate of our time — why median wages continue to drop and poverty to increase at the same time income and wealth are becoming ever more concentrated at the top, and what should be done to counter the [...]

Paul Krugman writes: Let’s get one thing straight: America is not facing a fiscal crisis. It is, however, still very much experiencing a job crisis. It’s easy to get confused about the fiscal thing, since everyone’s talking about the “fiscal cliff.” Indeed, one recent poll suggests that a large plurality of the public believes that [...]

From Mr. Fish…

You never know what you’ll find in mom’s basement…

Farhad Manjoo writes: Most people won’t notice these details, but they add up to a remarkable garment. Before I wore American Giant’s hoodie, I couldn’t ever picture a hoodie looking unslouchy. This one makes it look like you spent a minute considering your wardrobe before you rushed out the door. For a lot of people, [...]

Matt Taibbi writes: The Tea Partiers were sick to the point of puking of RINO types like Boehner who are gearing up to put the Republican Party’s name on a massive tax increase and may eventually bend on choice, immigration and gay rights. The Republican establishment, meanwhile, is sick of waking up every morning wondering [...]

If you ever needed proof that the rich have too much money, elephant shit coffee seals the deal.

I just did a quick search on the Plain Dealer’s website and not a peep about this story. From the Court of Appeals of Ohio, Eighth Appellate District, County of Cuyahoga: {¶1} For purposes of this opinion, the appeals of both appellants Erin McCardle and Leatrice Tolls have been consolidated. 1 {¶2} Appellants Erin McCardle [...]

To the 99 percent: organize, organize, organize…

Matt Taibbi writes: What the banking system really needs is a guy who will step in and force bankers to go back to being boring, risk-averse drips who lend businesses money to buy new equipment or fleets of trucks or whatever. What we have instead are coked-up wannabe big shots straight out of Boiler Room [...]

Robert Reich writes: The “fiscal cliff” is a a metaphor for a government that no longer responds to the biggest challenges we face because it’s paralyzed by intransigent Republicans, obsessed by the federal budget deficit, and overwhelmed by big money from corporations, Wall Street, and billionaires. If we had a functional government America would address [...]

Via What’s Up: WHAT: Shift Change: Putting Democracy to Work WHERE: West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River WHEN: Saturday, 8 December at 7 p.m. WHO: West Shore Film Series CONTACT: Bob Bemer at 440.333.2255 West Shore File Series With the long decline in US manufacturing and today’s economic crisis, millions have [...]