Alternative version of economic history

In the beginning or near enough there was only sticks and stones and spears and swords. Then they managed to introduce carrots but of course people kept trading in carrots and some people got way more carrots than others. This introduced the concept of duty and ever since duty has gone a long way. It may that people got fed up with carrots and trading in duty and achievement became more interesting. Finally, duty became so tarnished that tambourines were brought out. The tambourine was probably the item of choice for the Blair government and may still be in Barack Obama's toolbox, but I think its capacity has diminished. So what are we left with? Fear, bullying? Love hopefully?