Sinews of War and Trade: Shipping and Capitalism in the Arabian Peninsula

China is now the factory of the world, and the oil that fuels its manufacturing comes primarily from the Arabian peninsula. Sinews of War and Trade is an account of how maritime transportation is central to global capitalism, creating racialized hierarchies of labor, engineering the lived environment, aiding the accumulation of capital regionally and globally, and carrying forward colonial regimes of profit, law, and administration.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2021
Publisher: Verso Books

China has emerged as the world's manufacturing hub, with a bustling trade landscape. A constant stream of ships laden with raw materials like iron ore, coal, and oil arrives at its ports, while fleets of container ships depart in all directions, carrying manufactured goods. The oil that powers China's manufacturing primarily originates from the Arabian Peninsula. A significant portion of the material shipped from China is transported through the ports of the Arabian Peninsula, with Dubai's Jabal Ali port being a prominent hub. China's maritime silk road, which encompasses the peninsula on all sides, plays a crucial role in its economic connectivity.

Sinews of War and Trade delves into the profound impact of the construction of new ports and shipping infrastructure on the Arabian Peninsula and the global landscape. The book explores how maritime transportation goes beyond being a mere facilitator of trade and becomes an integral component of global capitalism. The ports that serve maritime trade, logistics, and hydrocarbon transport not only shape the labor dynamics but also impact the living environment, contribute to regional and global capital accumulation, and perpetuate colonial regimes of profit, law, and administration.

The book sheds light on the complex interplay between economic development, labor hierarchies, environmental concerns, and the historical legacies of colonialism. It raises important questions about the distribution of wealth, power, and resources in a globalized world and the ethical implications of such developments. Sinews of War and Trade offers a comprehensive analysis of the maritime industry's role in shaping the world we live in today, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of global trade and its impact on societies and economies.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 130 x 199 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786634825