Millions died, not outside the 'modern world system', but in the process of being forcibly incorporated into its economic and political structures. They continue to die today. The huge death toll during the earthquake in Gujarat, India, earlier this month was escalated by poorly built houses and buildings. The property companies' profits were put in front of safety. Many buildings collapsed completely flat when the earthquake hit, killing tens of thousands.
Engineers can design buildings that minimise the impact of natural disasters.
But big businesses cut corners to save money. The same happened when an earthquake rocked El Salvador in January. The country was robbed of its valuable hospitals due to the lack of strong supports on the buildings. In August last year some 40,000 people died in an earthquake in Turkey when just one year of the government's arms expenditure could have made every house in Turkey secure from earthquakes. Global institutions like the World Bank ensure that businesses put profits first in countries around the world, which means the poor pay a needlessly high price for natural disasters.