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[timelets]

Money and commerce were regarded by the ancients as a potential political threat. By their business contacts, traders and merchants are exposed to new customs, thoughts and values that might challenge the existing order. ibid 51.

- important observation. merchants make control, on the system level, difficult by increasing the number of goods and services that are being traded, expanding the use of money, both domestic and foreign coin, exploiting hole in law and customs, etc.