III.2. RITUALIZED WAR, ANOTHER BARRIER TO GROWTH

3.2. Ritualized war: barrier to growth  

FIGHTING DRAWS OFF SURPLUS — IN WAYS THAT KEEP DESTRUCTION WITHIN BOUNDS

The Book of Tournaments of René d'Anjou, 15th century, zoom

Trappings force knights to divert income and lessen contests' deadliness by making horses stumble and riders fall.

• African slave raids, controlled violence

• French warfare has similar limits

• Valor: nobles answer nascent capitalists

• Did memory of feudal valor add to the carnage of World War I?

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African slave raids, controlled violence