Author: Samir Amin
Publisher: Books for Change
Year: 2011
Language: English
Pages: 195
ISBN/UPC (if available): 1-906387-96-6
9781906387969
Description
Responding to the need to take a fresh look at world history, hitherto dominated by Eurocentric ideologues and historians in their attempt to justify the nature and character of modern capitalism, Samir Amin looks in this book at the ancient world system and how it has influenced the development of the modern world. He also analyses the origin and nature of modern globalization and the challenges it presents in achieving socialism.
Amin examines the role played by Central Asia in determining the course of world history as well as the different roads taken by Europe and China. The book looks closely at a theme that has been primordial to his contribution to political and economic thought: the question of unequal development.
This is a refreshing and creative work that is necessary reading for anyone wanting to understand the real process of history.
COMMENT:
“I always learn important things when I read Samir Amin. This book is no exception. It is full of original interpretations and is required reading for all who are seriously interested in global history.”
--- Immanuel Waller-stein, Yale University
Contents
Introduction
1. The ancient world Systems versus the modern capitalist world system
2. Central Asia and the Middle East in the tributary system of the ancient world
3. The challenge of globalization
4. History conceived as an eternal cycle
5. Europe and China – Two paths of Historical development
6. Russia in the World System – Geography or History?
Index
Figures
Figures 1 – The Tributary world System (300 BC – 1500 AD)
Figures 2 – The Early roots (UP to 200 BC)
Figures 3 – The Tributary Systems (300 BC – 1500 AD)
Table
Table 1 – Locally generated external flows