Abstract of Robert Marks, The Origins of the Modern World , Introduction

1. Abstract of Robert Marks, The Origins of the Modern World, Introduction • Main Point/Argument: • A better understanding of modern World and European history comes from placing Europe in global context, recognizing the pitfalls of Eurocentricsm, and realizing that the so-called “Rise of the West” was not inevitable and did not fully occur until the 19th century. • Evidence/supporting point (two examples) • China and India were more advanced in economic productivity and scale of commerce. • The Islamic Empires of north Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia controlled more territory and trade than Europe. • M.I.T. • The tendency in the US to hold “Eurocentric” views of modern history and the modern world. • Connections: • The recognition of the great economic and commercial importance of China and Asia is clearly reflected in the efforts of Europeans to establish and expand trade in those areas. European overseas expansion, beginning with Columbus, was initially motivated by desires to reach Asia.

2. Promptings/Reflections: Given the interest in Asia at least among some rulers, explorers, and traders, it seems that text books should have more discussion of these matters. The documents in the book by Richard Lim and David Smith move in this desired direction, though one could argue that perhaps even more on European perceptions of China and Asia could be beneficial. There is more ample coverage of European connections with the new World. • Evaluation: • Does the author have a main argument? • Does the author present sufficient evidence to support it? • What are the strong points in the reading? • What are the weak or confusing parts? • Perplexing Thing (P.T.) Marks speaks of “The Gap” between the “West” and Asia in terms of economic and political power today, but it seems that the “Gap” is narrowing greatly today as China, India, Brazil, and other countries outside of the traditional ‘West’ are on the rise.

3. Key Terms • Contingency: that an historical development such as the modern world system is not inevitable or pre-ordained but one of several possible outcomes. • Conjecture: the confluence of a number of more or less independent factors that produce an outcome that could not easily be foreseen. • Polycentric vs. uni-centric or Eurocentric. • Accident • Interconnectivity