@Camerama,
Camerama;124538 wrote:Is wealth created, or redistributed? Can it be proven? I'm sure it can at least be argued....
Well the economists answer to that is that wealth is not a zero sum game, that the pie can keep getter larger, so one countries economic prosperity does not mean someone else is losing. There is however only so much oil, so much iron and limited amounts of some other critical natural resources. The optimist will answer science and technology will find alternative materials and methods. Theorectically wealth is not finite but practically there are limits on the rate of growth and the rate at which new technolgies can be brought online.