this msg from another list seems to relevant for this one,
see also my short note in the middle
nikolai
Sender: PHILosophy OF HIstory and theoretical history <PHILOFHI@YORKU.CA>
From: Randy Groves <rgroves@ART01.FERRIS.EDU>
Thanks to Nikolai for responding to my comments on his post on
factors of Euro-dominance. Here are some more comments on the
response:
1. Material Factors: Geographical position: Nikolai is right to point
out that while some other groups may have been just as close to the
New World as the Europeans, the Europeans actually took advantage of
their proximity. Western Africans didn't have the ships or sailing
abilities and the Arabs in Spain were more concerned with keeping
hold of Spain, I would think.
2. The story of the precious metals: Spain and Portugal didn't invest
the money in domestic manufacturing. The interesting issue here is
how others (the British and especially the Dutch) seemed to profit more
from the Gold than those who brought it from the New World.
Social Factors: Insurance. Does anyone know if India or China had
anything comparable to the European Insurance industry? I haven't
come across any evidence of this, so this could be a major advantage
to the Europeans for their long-distance voyages.
Nikolai: this question seems to me rather important, i'd like to hear about
from most active opponents of any European advantages - Jim Blaut, Gunder
Frank et al
Randy again:
On the question of why Arabs didn't compete with Europeans in trade
and colonization: They already had a great strategic position between
East and West. One of the incentives for long-distance sailing was to
get around and bypass the Arabs.
Randy Groves
J. Randall Groves, M.A.,M.A., Ph.D
Associate Professor of Humanities
Ferris State University
rgroves@art01.ferris.edu