1 option
The origins of the modern world : a global and ecological narrative / Robert B. Marks.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Marks, Robert, 1949-
- Series:
- World social change
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Eurocentrism.
- History.
- Europe--History--1492-.
- Europe.
- Europe--Economic conditions.
- Economic conditions.
- Eurocentrism--History.
- Economic history.
- Civilization, Modern--History.
- Civilization, Modern.
- China--Social conditions.
- China.
- Social conditions.
- Industrial revolution.
- Physical Description:
- xi, 173 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [2002]
- Summary:
- This clearly written and engaging book presents a global narrative of the origins of the modern world. Unlike most studies, which assume that the 'rise of the West' is the story of the coming of the modern world, this history, drawing upon new scholarship on Asia, Africa, and the New World, constructs a story in which those parts of the world play major roles. Robert Marks defines the modern world as one marked by industry, the nation state, interstate warfare, a large and growing gap between the wealthiest and poorest parts of the world, and an escape from 'the biological old regime.' He explains its origins by emphasizing contingencies (such as the conquest of the New World); the broad comparability of the most advanced regions in China, India, and Europe; the reasons why England was able to escape from common ecological constraints facing all of those regions by the 18th century; and a conjuncture of human and natural forces that solidified a gap between the industrialized and non-industrialized parts of the world.
- Contents:
- Introduction: The Rise of the West? 1
- Chapter 1 The Material and Trading Worlds, circa 1400 21
- Chapter 2 Starting with China 43
- Chapter 3 Empires, States, and the New World, 1500-1775 67
- Chapter 4 The Industrial Revolution and Its Consequences, 1750-1850 95
- Chapter 5 The Gap 123
- Conclusion: Change or Continuity? 155.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references and index.
- ISBN:
- 0742517535
- 0742517543
- OCLC:
- 48249385
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.