title: Idols of Nations: Biblical Myth at the Origins of Capitalism
author: Roland Boer
description: Roland Boer is Xin Ao Professor of Literature at Renmin University of China and Research Professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia. among many publications, including <i>Marxist Criticism of the Bible</i> (2003) and <i>Rescuing the Bible</i> (2009),his most recent are <i>Lenin, Religion, and Theology</i> (2013) and <i>In the Vale of Tears: On Marxism and Theology V</i> (2014).
zlib_text: Published by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road,
  London N7 9DP
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  www.introducingbooks.com
  ISBN: 978-184831-765-9
  Text and illustrations copyright © 2013 Icon Books Ltd
  The author and artist have asserted their moral rights.
  Edited by Duncan Heath
  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means,
  without prior permission in writing from the publisher
  
  Contents
  Cover
  Title Page
  Copyright
  Capital and Capitalism
  Capitalism vs. Feudalism
  The Crusades
  The Knights Templar
  Dissolution of the Templars
  Opening up the Trade Routes
  Expansionism
  The Birthplace of Capitalism
  The Dutch East India Company
  English Pirates
  The Power of Private Investment
  Hobbes, the First Capitalist Thinker
  The Power of the Individual
  The State of Nature
  Leviathan, and the Social Contract
  Natural Reason and Private Property
  Labour = Ownership?
  Locke and Civil Government
  Locke and Colonialism
  The Wealth of Nations
  Self-interest
  The Invisible Hand
  Specializ