global problems and the culture of capitalism

clipped from kamakalia.stumbleupon.com "Over the past 400-600 years a culture and society, originating for the most part in Europe and dedicated to the idea of trade as the ultimate source of well-being, began to expand to all parts of the globe. In many ways it is the most successful culture and society the world has ever seen, its technology, wealth, and power monuments to its success; but accompanying its expansion have been problems - growing social and economic inequality, environmental destruction, mass starvation, and social unrest. Most members of this society and culture perceive these problems as distant from themselves or as challenges for them to meet. However, there is the possibility that these problems, which threaten to negate everything this culture has accomplished, are intrinsic to the culture itself. That is the possibility explored in this book. Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism, by Richard H. Robins