> "EG/WG (and NK/SK) started out _very, very close_ to one another"
>
> True. All began this epoch as completely flattened war zones. All moved
> out of that status to their present positions on the basis of state economic
> planning and imperial aid.
Imperial aid=the rocket booster theory. Why not make or at least point to a convincing argument that this variable was as important as you suggest?
-- Luke