Capitalist states are able to generate and direct more money, and therefore more power, than other ones – than agrarian ones in particular. In one sense, we can look at this in terms of the kind of ‘ratchet effect’ mentioned earlier. Doubtless Stalin did everywhere except Russia a favour when he proclaimed ‘socialism in one country’, but there’s never been ‘capitalism in one country’. So, back to the main thread of my story: in weighing up capitalism’s historical record, it’s also necessary to reckon with the fact that capitalism has never confined itself to single national economies. Anyway, this week I bring you an entirely non-controversial topic – European colonialism – so nothing much to comment on there, right? I’ll note as usual that a fully referenced version of the excerpt below is available here. But thanks for all the extra comments last time, and apologies for not responding to all of them – non-response is not indicative of ingratitude or lack of interest on my part. Still, what can I do? Get back to my history of the world, that’s what. I’m not sure that the FCRN is keeping its eye on the ball on this one: maybe they should have called their report The Wood for the Trees. Expect a future in which blandishments about ‘eco-friendly’ feedlot beef and ‘sustainable’ electric cars divert us from the truth that we’re using more fossil fuels than ever before, which is what actually matters.

Their boss Michael Gove has apparently been talking enthusiastically about ‘sustainable intensification’. The whole kerfuffle about meat in the media last week stemmed from the Food Climate Research Network’s report Grazed and Confused, a title which aptly summarises not only a good deal of the ensuing media debate but also the state of DEFRA officials as they contemplate a post-EU future for British agriculture. Ah well, it’s an issue that always has legs – unlike the meat alternatives proposed by George Monbiot. My post last week on livestock seemed to make a slightly larger ripple in cyberspace than my usual offerings.

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