On Mon, 16 Apr 2001, David Honig wrote:
The diamond-trading jews of New York use reputation (ostracism from the community, centrally enforced by a council that rules their voluntary association) to handle 'arbitration'.
They're also responsible to the same law and license that every other diamond trader in NY is responsible to. This isn't a 'market' in the economic sense, it's an extension of their religion (clearly a non-economic aspect to their culture).
Jews also use a non-governmental USDA to keep their food clean.
Which again isn't really a 'market' per se since there isn't a statistical issue here. ALL Jews, as opposed to some percentage of same, technicaly require their food to be kosher. They are particular mechanisms for the protection of their culture not an 'economic market' (though both have economic aspects). They don't do it to protect their income. They do it because they believe it's the 'right' thing to do, they are answering to a higher calling. ____________________________________________________________________ The ultimate authority...resides in the people alone. James Madison The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage@ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------