>I don't disagree, but don't quite see how that distinguishes capitalist
>societies from any class society where the working class is looted for
>the benefit of the upper class.
The fact that the ruling class has a monopoly of economic power, as opposed to a monopoly of physical force (the state) is the distinguishing feature. Previous ruling classes were the government, not necessarily directly controlling the means of production. The capitalist class has developed a more powerful form of dictatorship, they control through a monopoly over production of goods and services and only use physical force indirectly and as a last resort. Much more efficient.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas