Histories of Trade as Histories of Civilisation

This edited collection explores the histories of trade,a literary genre that emerged in the context of the histoire philosophique movement and interacted critically with universal history. It enriched the reflection on civilisation and became an invaluable analytical and practical tool for scholars seeking to reform nations' political, social, and economic structures. It also provided insights into the complex relationship between the production of wealth and civilisation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 362 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited collection delves into the fascinating histories of trade, a unique literary genre that emerged during the transformative era of the histoire philosophique movement. It marked a departure from erudition and antiquarianism, engaging critically with universal history. By comparing and interconnecting the histories of individual peoples within a shared historical context, this genre enriched the reflection on civilization that flourished during the long eighteenth century. Those seeking insights into the political constitutions and manners most conducive to commerce aimed to understand the recurring mechanisms underlying economic development. In essence, histories of trade represented a departure from eighteenth-century political economy, becoming an invaluable analytical and practical tool for a diverse array of academic scholars, journalists, lawyers, administrators, diplomats, and government ministers driven by the ambition to reform the political, social, and economic structures of their nations. Furthermore, these investigations fostered a profound understanding of historical temporality and, more specifically, the inherent precariousness of economic hegemonies.

However, as a field of contention where diverse intellectual perspectives converged, this literary genre also accommodated critical assessments that focused on the ambivalence and risks associated with commercial civilization. By examining the intricate relationship between wealth production and civilization, this book offers unique insights to scholars of political economy, intellectual history, and economic history.

Weight: 491g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030800895
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021