New World of Gain: Europeans, Guarani, and the Global Origins of Modern Economy

Before the arrival of Europeans, the Guaraní people of Paraguay had a social and material relations based on reciprocal gift-giving. However, the Spanish and Portuguese newcomers sought to advance their own interests by exploiting the Guaraní through material exchange or forced labor. This book explores how Europeans felt empowered to pursue individual gain in the New World, challenging the Guaraní way of being. The encounter between Guaraní and Europeans was part of a broader global shift in human relations and economic exchange.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, the indigenous Guaraní people of present-day Paraguay had a complex social and material relationship based on reciprocal gift-giving. However, when the Spanish and Portuguese explorers arrived in the sixteenth century, their primary interest was not in fostering cultural exchange or understanding but rather in advancing their own economic and political goals. This book explores the ways in which Europeans perceived themselves as empowered to pursue individual gain in the New World, and how the Guaraní people responded to this challenge to their way of life.

While neither the Guaraní nor the Europeans fully grasped the broader significance of their encounter, it marked a significant turning point in the history of human relations and economic exchange. Owensby's book challenges the notion that economic gain is solely a product of human nature and instead presents it as a global development that affected people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Throughout the book, Owensby examines the various ways in which the Guaraní and Europeans interacted, from trade and warfare to cultural exchange and colonization. He highlights the ways in which the Guaraní were often exploited and marginalized by the European powers, but also shows how they resisted and adapted to the changing circumstances.

One of the key themes of the book is the concept of "accumulation," which Owensby argues was a driving force behind the European expansion into the Americas. He explains that accumulation refers to the process by which individuals and societies acquire wealth and power through the acquisition of resources and the exploitation of others. Owensby argues that the Guaraní were not passive victims of this process but rather active participants who played a crucial role in shaping the course of European history.

Another important theme of the book is the concept of "civilization," which Owensby defines as a complex system of social, economic, and political institutions that are shared by a large population. He argues that the encounter between the Guaraní and Europeans was a defining moment in the history of civilization, as it led to the spread of European ideas, technologies, and practices across the Americas.

Overall, "The Guaraní and the Europeans" is a thought-provoking and well-researched book that offers a fresh perspective on the history of the Americas. It challenges traditional narratives of European conquest and exploitation and presents a more nuanced and complex understanding of the complex relationship between the Guaraní and Europeans.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503627512