Professor Dr. Erich Weede was born 1942 and taught sociology at the University of Bonn until his retirement in fall 2004. He earned academic degrees in psychology and political science. In 1982/83 he was president of the Peace Science Society (International), and in 1985/86 was vice-president of the International Studies Association. He has produced 11 books and more than 200 other publications in German or English. His topics include the causes and prevention of war, the rise and decline of nations, Asian civilizations, the invention of capitalism, the spread of economic freedom, economic growth, and income inequality. His books include Economic Development, Social Order and World Politics (Lynne Rienner, 1996) and The Balance of Power, Globalization, and the Capitalist Peace (for the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation, Liberal Verlag, 2005).