> Jim Devine nailed the differences > on the head by pointing out the unique forms of exploitation that attend > commodity production as opposed to the tributory economy of the Incan empire. > Difference lies on the state of development. Expoitation intensifies with the rise of civilizations or state controlled societies. A tributary economy can be as brutal as a plantation one. The Indians of the Carribbean were not civilized. Thus, Columbus's intial reaction to them was "They go naked as they were born...Their beauty was moral as well as physical...They are the most pleasant and peaceful people in the world...They do not covet other's peoples property...They are very gentle and know nothing of evil". > (http://www.panix.com/~lnp3/marxism.html) > >