From: Rakesh Bhandari (bhandari@BERKELEY.EDU)
Date: Fri Oct 15 2004 - 01:56:04 EDT
Capitalism and Modernity: The Great Debate by Jack Goody * Paperback: 168 pages * Publisher: Polity Press; (November 30, 2004) * ISBN: 0745631916 * In-Print Editions: Hardcover | All Editions Editorial Reviews Synopsis This important new book investigates how the West attained its current position of economic and social advantage. In an incisive historical analysis, Jack Goody examines when and why Europe (and Anglo-America) started to outstrip all other continents in socio-economic growth. Drawing on non-Western examples of economic and technical progress, Goody challenges assumptions about long-term European supremacy of a 'cultural' kind, as was a feature of many theories current in social science. He argues that the divergence came with the Industrial Revolution and that the earlier bourgeois revolution of the sixteenth century was but one among many Eurasia-wide expressions of developing mercantile and manufacturing activity. This original book casts new light on the history of capitalism, industrialization and modernity, and will be essential reading for all those interested in the great debate about the economic rise of the West. Islam in Europe by Jack Goody -------------------------------------------------- Product Details * Paperback: 144 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.59 x 8.42 x 5.46 * Publisher: Polity Press; (December 1, 2003) * ISBN: 0745631932 Editorial Reviews Synopsis This vigorously argued book reveals the central role that Islam has played in European history. Following the movement of people, culture and religion from East to West, Goody breaks down the perceived opposition between Islam and Europe, showing Islam to be a part of Europe's past and present. In an historical analysis of religious warfare and forced migration, Goody examines our understanding of legitimate violence, ethnic cleansing and terrorism. His comparative perspective offers important and illuminating insights into current political problems and conflicts. Goody traces three routes of Islam into Europe, following the Arab through North Africa, Spain and Mediterranean Europe; the Turk through Greece and the Balkans; and the Mongol through Southern Russia to Poland and Lithuania. Each thrust made its mark on Europe in terms of population and culture. Yet this was not merely a military impact: especially in Spain, but elsewhere too, Europe was substantially modified by this contact. Today it takes the form of some eleven million immigrants, not to speak of the possible incorporation of further millions through Bosnia, Albania and Turkey.
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