I don't think it is as right-wing as it sounds. It just means that if you work hard you have a chance at getting ahead. Our fate is not determined completely by chance of birth.

>Still having trouble spelling I see, Evan < S >.
>
>Anyway, I'm not so sure about "merit based system of rewards (not birthright)".
>Seems to me that there are an awful lot of people who work real hard in this world. Let's face it, if all of these people realized "the dream" (that hard work can bring riches) then the world would be filled with millionaires and the only 'poor' people would be those who chose not to work hard.
>
>In other words, business owners count on the people's BELIEF that this is a truism. But I don't know what we'd have if everyone was his/her own business owner - where would we find workers for our businesses.?!?
>
>Cheers
>
>Jim
> >Facinating article on captilism. http://slashdot.org/books/01/02/07/2119225.shtml
>>
>>Some points why it is successful in the west
>>- rule of law
>>- property ownership
>>- small underground economy
>>- education of the population
>>- Acceptance of science, technology, and the scientific method
>>- increased secularization
>>- urbanization
>>- merit based system of rewards (not birthright)
>>- social mobility
>>- diversity