Beyond that, it can be argued that business has been more successful than any other profession in overcoming traditional religious, ethnic, racial, and sexual barriers. Only where the business ethic of competence has taken hold are religious and ethnic feuding, racism, and sexism on the defensive. For example, the rise of the business ethic during and since the Enlightenment has led many former national enemies to decide that they would rather produce and trade than make war. Compare current relations between England and France with their past. The same could be said for relations between France and Germany, Korea and Japan.
Business also breaks down religious barriers.
The fact that for many centuries Jews were allowed to engage in banking while Christians were not was a major reason why Christians were less energetic in their efforts to stamp out Judaism. The ongoing Islamic jihad against the decadent West has been muted by the fact that the West is the major customer for Middle Eastern oil. In business, few care whether you worship by handling rattlesnakes or rosaries. The competence ethic of business also breaks down racial and sexual barriers. On countless occasions, individuals of different races and sexes have sat down at boardroom tables and negotiated deals peacefully.