Exchange Ideologies: Commerce, Language, and Patriarchy in Preconflict Aleppo

Before the destruction of Aleppo, Exchange Ideologies explores the diverse social structures and notions of language through which merchants understood and construed commerce and the figure of the merchant during economic liberalization in the 2000s. It rejects the idea of a timeless bazaar culture and shows how social structures and representations were shaped by processes of politically managed economic liberalization and the Syrian regime's attempts to ensure its survival.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Exchange Ideologies is a captivating book that delves into the social world of Aleppo's traders before the devastating destruction of the city. It explores the changing conceptions of commerce in Syria, shedding light on the diverse perspectives and narratives surrounding these traders.

Syria's traders have been portrayed in various ways, with some seeing them as embodying a timeless culture of the bazaar, where trade is driven by cultural values and traditions. Others portray them as venal figures motivated solely by profit, viewing commerce as a purely instrumental pursuit.

Paul Anderson challenges these dichotomous narratives by tracing the diverse social structures and notions of language through which Aleppo's merchants understood and construed commerce and the figure of the merchant during a period of economic liberalization in the 2000s. Instead of viewing these social structures and representations as expressions of a timeless bazaar culture or as shaped solely by Islamic tradition, Anderson argues that they are interconnected with processes of politically managed economic liberalization and the Syrian regime's attempts to ensure its own survival amidst change.

Through his meticulous research, Anderson provides a comprehensive account of economic liberalization in Syria as a social and cultural process as much as a political and economic one. He explores how the traders negotiated the complex web of economic regulations, market dynamics, and social hierarchies that shaped their lives and businesses. He also sheds light on the ways in which the regime attempted to control and manipulate commerce, using various strategies to maintain its grip on power.

Exchange Ideologies is a valuable contribution to the study of economic development, politics, and society in Syria. It offers a nuanced and empathetic understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped the lives of Aleppo's traders and the broader economic landscape of the country. By challenging traditional narratives and providing a more comprehensive account of economic liberalization, Anderson contributes to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted challenges facing Syria and the region.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501768309