Saturday, November 17, 2012

Did the same again should we start?


Solon's Seisachtheia was historic because it was the basis for the development of Athenian democracy and the great civilization that accompany it. However, the exemption of unsustainable burden of debt of Athenian citizens were not the only measure. The reforms of Solon consisted of three parts: the monetary reform and cutting new currency, the "haircut" of debts and not fully discharge the debtors and the most important structural changes of the Athenian economy, and which gave the biggest boost development.

Then the economy changed the Athenian model, exceeded that of the self-sufficient agricultural production and became a manufacturing, commercial and outgoing. Developed simultaneously and olive pottery, namely the production of vessels for storage and transportation of oil to other markets.

The marketing and distribution and transportation needs of the oil then forced the building of merchant vessels and the creation of the Athenian fleet, which employed many traders and seafarers, who vote Democratic and have the great and invincible base of the Athenian Republic, who ruled for almost two centuries.

So oil production, pottery, shipbuilding, fleet and commercial streets accompanied the Seisachtheia and brought great development and greatness of the Athenian Republic. These were the pillars of strategic power of the Athenian state, apparently the result of a holistic reform.

The Seisachtheia was only one part, necessary but not sufficient. And this should be our quest today. What we can accompany today claimed the settlement of debts and what are the respective contemporary of olive oil, pottery, shipbuilding and maritime trade routes? Did the same again should we start?

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