World Trade Since 1431 : Geography, Technology, and Capitalism
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A magnificent work, Braudelian in its conception, scope, and attention to detail... A delight." -- Progress in Human Geography.
"A first-rate historical study in the genre of world history... Combines geography with the social sciences in skillful fashion. It is lucidly written and will appeal to the specialist and general reader." -- Virginia Quarterly Review
"Hugill provides a refreshingly long historical sweep in arguing that transportation technologies have been the key to success in world trade... A wealth of historical and technicaldetail." -- Geonomics.
Book Description
Equipped with reliable maps and instruments for open-ocean navigation and highly seaworthy, three-masted, cannon-armed ships, Portugal dominated the Atlantic trade routes--until the diffusion of Portuguese technologies to wealthier polities made Holland the eventual successor, owing to its geographic position and its immense commercial fleet. It is precisely this interplay of technology and geography, argues Peter J. Hugill, that has guided the evolution of the modern global capitalistic system. Tracing the relationship between technology and economy over the past 550 years, Hugill finds that the nations that developed and marketed new technologies best were the nations that rose to world power, while those that held onto outdated technologies fell behind. Moreover, he argues, major changes in transportation and communication technologies actually constituted the moments of transformation from one world economy to another.
World Trade Since 1431 : Geography, Technology, and Capitalism
World Trade Since 1431: Geography, Technology, and Capitalism,Peter J. Hugill,The Johns Hopkins University Press,0801851262,Capitalism,Earth Sciences - Geography,Economic history,History,History - General History,History: World,International - General,International trade,Technological innovations,World - General,Economic geography,History of engineering & technology,History of science,Modern period, c 1500 onwards,Political Science / International Security,World history,c 1000 CE to c 1500
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