A new and interesting-looking book is described on the AEI website -- Poor People's Knowledge: Promoting Intellectual Property in Developing Countries.

According to the blurb: "This book is about increasing the earnings of poor people in poor countries from their innovation, knowledge, and creative skills. . . . The contributors' motivation is sometimes to maintain the art and culture of poor people, but they recognize that except in a museum setting, no traditional skill can live on unless it has a viable market. Culture and commerce more often complement than conflict . . . . "

It sounds like more support for the view that property rights and markets are important instruments for the promotion of culture as well as wealth.