, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Please also note that the author of this document will not be responsible for any plagiarism you
commit.
Select ONE of the following four questions – which will serve as your essay question for this
assignment as well as for all the remaining assignments in this semester. In no more than two
pages (roughly 500 words), provide a discussion of the main issues you feel you will be likely to
explore in your final portfolio essay on the topic you have chosen.
From Study Unit 2 - ‘Histories of Globalisation and Capitalism are intertwined.’ Do you
agree with this statement? Discuss critically.
The Intertwined Histories of Globalisation and Capitalism
Introduction
The histories of globalisation and capitalism are deeply interconnected, as economic expansion and
global integration have historically reinforced one another. Globalisation refers to the increasing
interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures, particularly through trade, technology, and
communication. Capitalism, as an economic system based on private ownership and market
competition, has been a major driver of globalisation, shaping global economic structures and social
relations. I agree with the statement that the histories of globalisation and capitalism are intertwined,
as capitalism has historically been a key force behind global expansion, while globalisation has
facilitated the spread and evolution of capitalist economies. However, this relationship has not been
uniform or universally beneficial, as capitalism has also contributed to economic inequalities, power
imbalances, and environmental challenges. This essay will critically explore key themes such as the
expansion of capitalism, the role of non-Western economies, the impact of industrialisation, the
inequalities embedded in global trade, and the transformation of capitalism into a transnational
system.
Capitalism and Global Expansion
The expansion of capitalism has been closely linked to the process of globalisation, particularly since
the early modern period. Around 1500 CE, the rise of modern capitalism coincided with European
exploration and colonisation, leading to the integration of the Americas, Asia, and Africa into a
global economic system. European economic and political expansion created new markets, trade
routes, and financial institutions, reinforcing the global spread of capitalism. This historical moment
illustrates how capitalism and globalisation developed in tandem, as the search for profit and
economic growth drove global interactions.
Non-Western Economic Networks
While European expansion played a key role in shaping global capitalism, it is important to
acknowledge the existence of non-Western economic networks that contributed to globalisation. For
instance, China had a highly centralised economy as early as 1000 BCE, with sophisticated trade
networks and technological advancements that surpassed those of medieval and early modern Europe.
The Middle East, India, and Africa also had long-standing trade connections that predated European
capitalism. Recognising these contributions challenges Eurocentric narratives and highlights the
diverse pathways through which globalisation and capitalism have evolved.
Please also note that the author of this document will not be responsible for any plagiarism you
commit.
Select ONE of the following four questions – which will serve as your essay question for this
assignment as well as for all the remaining assignments in this semester. In no more than two
pages (roughly 500 words), provide a discussion of the main issues you feel you will be likely to
explore in your final portfolio essay on the topic you have chosen.
From Study Unit 2 - ‘Histories of Globalisation and Capitalism are intertwined.’ Do you
agree with this statement? Discuss critically.
The Intertwined Histories of Globalisation and Capitalism
Introduction
The histories of globalisation and capitalism are deeply interconnected, as economic expansion and
global integration have historically reinforced one another. Globalisation refers to the increasing
interconnectedness of economies, societies, and cultures, particularly through trade, technology, and
communication. Capitalism, as an economic system based on private ownership and market
competition, has been a major driver of globalisation, shaping global economic structures and social
relations. I agree with the statement that the histories of globalisation and capitalism are intertwined,
as capitalism has historically been a key force behind global expansion, while globalisation has
facilitated the spread and evolution of capitalist economies. However, this relationship has not been
uniform or universally beneficial, as capitalism has also contributed to economic inequalities, power
imbalances, and environmental challenges. This essay will critically explore key themes such as the
expansion of capitalism, the role of non-Western economies, the impact of industrialisation, the
inequalities embedded in global trade, and the transformation of capitalism into a transnational
system.
Capitalism and Global Expansion
The expansion of capitalism has been closely linked to the process of globalisation, particularly since
the early modern period. Around 1500 CE, the rise of modern capitalism coincided with European
exploration and colonisation, leading to the integration of the Americas, Asia, and Africa into a
global economic system. European economic and political expansion created new markets, trade
routes, and financial institutions, reinforcing the global spread of capitalism. This historical moment
illustrates how capitalism and globalisation developed in tandem, as the search for profit and
economic growth drove global interactions.
Non-Western Economic Networks
While European expansion played a key role in shaping global capitalism, it is important to
acknowledge the existence of non-Western economic networks that contributed to globalisation. For
instance, China had a highly centralised economy as early as 1000 BCE, with sophisticated trade
networks and technological advancements that surpassed those of medieval and early modern Europe.
The Middle East, India, and Africa also had long-standing trade connections that predated European
capitalism. Recognising these contributions challenges Eurocentric narratives and highlights the
diverse pathways through which globalisation and capitalism have evolved.
