The Economic Revolution

In his book, The Economic Revolution, Robert Heilbroner had a strong message:In order to survive, we must socially cooperate. How incredible is it that society could breakdown at any moment and yet somehow business and trade go on freely.
There was no need for ecomics in the past because society was organized by traditions, customs and patterns. The occupation of a father was often passed on through the generations.
There was also commander societies that had the governments in control of the market and the movement of goods. Only after the emergence of the free market and the pull of the consumer that ecnomists were needed.
Heilbroner answers the question to "what changed?":
1)In Europe, national political units developed
2) Less religious as a result of the Italian Renaissance
3)Market system possible because of "material changes"
4) Rise of scientific curiosity
I agreed with the statement that it was "odd that the idea of gain is a relatively modern one"
Heilbroner gives examples of different eras and cultures of how the market system developed and life became more commercialized.