http://www.becker-posner-blog.com/archives/2005/03/democracy_and_f.html I agree with Becker that a high standard of living is likely to lead toward democracy. The intermediate stage is political liberty. As John F. O. Bilson explains in his article “Civil Liberty—An Econometric Investigation,” 35 Kyklos 94, 103 (1982),... en-us http://hispanicpundit.com/archives/2005/04/13/the-relationship-between-economic-and-political-freedom/ One of the greatest economists of the 20th century, Milton Friedman, wrote this in the beginning of the first chapter of his book Capitalism And Freedom: "It is widely believed that politics and economics are seperate and largely unconnected; that ind... http://cntodd.blogspot.com/2005/03/on-relation-between-capitalism-and.html ...When a democratic state is governed by the capitalist class or, more likely, operated in its interests, democracy is viewed as a “good in itself.” However, when it provides a platform for transforming social relations and property righ... http://www.TheGlitteringEye.com/archives/000821.html Here's what's caught my eye this morning: Across the Bay critiques the Juan Cole history of Lebanon I linked to a while ago. Austin Bay comments on Iran and the oil weapon. Wretchard puts in his two cents. Becker and... http://www.dummocrats.com/links/?d=2005-03-07 Democracy and Free Markets--Posner\'s Comment