braudel, colonialism and the rise of west

8/18/2019 Braudel, Colonialism and the Rise of West

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http://www.africahistory.net/braudel.htm

Braudel, Colonialism and the

Rise of the WestGloria Emeagwali

(Published as a Book Review in Comparative Civilizations Review. no.47. Fall 2002 ISSN 0733-4540Fe!nand B!audel"sCivilization and Capitalism 15th - 18th entur!is a #a$es%i& wo!k &o#'le%ed 23 ea!s a)o bu% *!s% 'ublished in+n)lish in ,2.The Wheels of Commerce (/es eu1 de l"+&han)e is %hese&ond volu#e in %he se!ies and is devo%ed e1&lusivel %o &o##e!&e.

his %e1% #us% be seen as one o a se!ies o wo!ks w!i%%en b B!audeland a ai!l lon) line o &on%e#'o!a! s&hola!s on %he !ise o %he es%and %he evolu%ion o &a'i%alis#. %he!s in&lude +. ones The EuropeanMiracle (,,6 . Blau%"s 1492 (,26 8.9 F!ank"s Re-Orient (,and his ea!lie! wo!k Worl !ccumulation (,7 and #o!e !e&en%lSa#i! 8#in"s: +u!o&en%!is# (,. 8dd %o %hese ;avid /andesWealthan "overt# of $ations (,6 al%e! Rodne"s %ow Europe&nerevelope !frica (,73 and +!i& illia#s" Capitalism an'laver# (,44: %he oldes% o %he# all - al%hou)h B!audel"sa''!o1i#a%el 2000 oo%no%es in %his volu#e do no% in&lude a sin)le!ee!en&e %o illia#s. /an)ua)es u%ili


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so #u&h in &o##on. /a!)e! %han lie *)u!es: %he bo%h %owe!ed ove!%he 20%h &en%u!: one o 9e!#an he!i%a)e: %he o%he! F!en&h. I% isi#'o!%an% %o no%e as well %ha% Po''e!"s Con(ectures an Refutations was a #a$o! &on%!ibu%ion %o e'is%e#olo)i&al s%udies: a!eas wi%h whi&hB!audel '!eo&&u'ied hi#sel %h!ou)hou% his &a!ee!. S&hola!s should

undoub%edl !e?e&% on #a%%e!s su&h as %hese in %he &on%e1% oB!audelian S%udies. In %he dis&ussion whi&h ollows: howeve!: we b!ie?&o##en% on a ew o %he issues #en%ioned wi%h a o&us on %hes%!u&%u!e: s%le and sub$e&% #a%%e! o %he %e1% a% hand. he!e a!e *ve #a$o! se)#en%s in %he Wheels of Commerce. hedis&ussion in&ludes a o&us on (a %he ins%!u#en%s o e1&han)e (b#a!ke%s and %he e&ono# (& '!odu&%ion (d do#es%i& &a'i%alis# and(e so&ie%. In ea&h o %hese se)#en%s we have in%ensive analses.a!ke%s: s%o!ehouses: sho's: de'o%s: )!ana!ies and s%o&k #a!ke%s6'eddle!s: wholesale!s and banke!s: bills o e1&han)e6 *1ed and&i!&ula%in) &a'i%al: land: #one and 'lan%a%ions6 and individual *!#s

and $oin% s%o&k &o#'anies a!e so#e o %he #ul%i'le uni%s o analsis .B!audel"s wo!k also en&o#'asses la!)e! %he#es and &on&e'%ual issuessu&h as %he !ise o %!adin) e#'i!es and e&ono#i& 'oli&ies su&h as#e!&an%ilis#: wi%hin %he *ve o!)ani


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s&an% use o sou!&es o! !e)ions ou%side o +u!o'e - and his inabili% o!unwillin)ness %o !ee hi#sel !o# '!e$udi&es and s%e!eo%'es. 8!#edwi%h %wo non-!e'!esen%a%ive !ee!en&es: B!audel 'on%i*&a%es on 8!i&ain a !a%he! unsavo! wa and in absolu%is% %e!#s: %h!owin) &au%ion %o%he wind and &on%!adi&%in) #u&h o wha% we know abou% %he

e#e!)en&e o sus%ainable and &o#'le1 #e%allu!)i&al %!adi%ions in %he&on%inen%. B!audel"s !ee!en&e i#'lies %in wo!ksho's wi%h no #o!e%han %wo a''!en%i&es and an absen&e o division o labo!. he wo!ks oseve!al s&hola!s on #e%allu!) and o%he! indus%!ies in '!e-&olonial8!i&a have '!oven %hese 'on%i*&a%ions w!on). i)h levels os'e&ialihina:B!audel a!!o)an%l asse!%s %ha% %he wo!ko!&e "did no% '!odu&e %he hi)hCuali% o %ools wi%h whi&h we a!e a#ilia! in +u!o'ean his%o!:" adeba%able view'oin% in %he li)h% o %he wo!ks o Needha#: F!ank and

o%he!s. h!ou)h his eu!o&en%!i& lens B!audel '!o&eeds %o dis&uss %he va!iablesasso&ia%ed wi%h %he !ise o &a'i%alis#: whi&h o! hi# in&ludes a #i1 ovalues in avo! o dnas%i& &on%inui% and weal%h a&&u#ula%ion6'!o*%able #a!!ia)es whi&h no doub% assis%ed in %he &onsolida%ion o'!o'e!%6 so&ial divisions alon)side so&ial #obili%: and wha% he&onside!s %he libe!a%in) a&%ion o lon) dis%an&e %!ade@ "/on) dis%an&e%!adin) was no% eve!%hin) bu% i% was %he onl doo!wa %o a su'e!io!'!o*% level.D ha% was libe!a%in) o! +u!o'e was no doub% libe!a%in) o!%he whole wo!ld: i#'lies B!audel. he )eno&idal &a#'ai)ns: whi&hb!ou)h% abou% %he des%!u&%ion o 'o'ula%ions: e1'loi%a%ive s%!u&%u!es:

#e&hanis#s o i#'ove!ish#en% and '!o&esses o dehu#ani


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+ven #o!e as&ina%in) %o # #ind would be %he '!ehis%o! o %heBanCue de F!an&e o %he a#ilies who ounded i% who all o! al#os% allsee# %o have had &onne&%ions wi%h %he silve! o S'anish 8#e!i&a.B!audel"s dis&ussion o %he si)ni*&an&e o %he a#ai&an 'lan%a%ion&onve!)es wi%h %ha% o +!i& illia#s@ In a&% %he balan&e o %!ade o!

a#ai&a: even &al&ula%ed in &olonial 'ounds wo!ks ou% a% a sli)h%advan%a)e o! %he island (,:,33E000 %o ,:3335000 'ounds s%e!lin) bu% a% leas% hal o %he %o%al o! i#'o!%s and e1'o!%s #ade i%s wainvisibl ba&k %o +n)land (in !ei)h% &ha!)es: insu!an&e: &o##issions:in%e!es% on deb%s and %!anse!s o #one %o absen%ee landlo!ds. 8ll inall %he ne% bene*%s o! +n)land in %he ea! ,773 was ,:500:000 'oundss%e!lin). In /ondon as in Bo!deau1 %he '!o&eeds o &olonial %!ade we!e%!anso!#ed in%o %!adin) houses: banks and s%a%e bonds. he #ade%he o!%unes o &e!%ain 'owe!ul a#ilies whose #os% a&%ive!e'!esen%a%ives we!e %o be ound in %he ouse o /o!ds. he a#ai&an 'lan%a%ion was a "&a'i%alis% &!ea%ion 'a! e1&ellen&e": a

"weal%h &!ea%in) #a&hine:" "!e#o%e &on%!olled" !o# Seville: >adi


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des'o%is# and %!ea&he! a!e e!ased !o# %he annals o )lobal his%o!.+u!o'ean he)e#on and %he !ise o &a'i%alis# a!e 'o!%!aed as anine1o!able o!&e '!esu#abl des%ined b %he )ods@Capitalism coul onl# emer)e from a certain *in of societ#+ one whichha create a favora,le environment from far ,ac* in time without

,ein) aware in the sli)htest of the process thus ,ein) set in train or ofthe processes for which it was preparin) the wa# in future centuriesBu% .i) %istor# %his is: i one &on%e#'la%es %he )a!)an%uan s&o'e o %heen%e!'!ise: and %he e%a %heo!ies and e)a 'hiloso'hies &on!on%in)an s&hola! who &on%e#'la%es %he !ise o &a'i%alis#: and +u!o'e"s !ise%o a#e and o!%une. "he #oldness of the enterprise musthowever orrelate with a spirit of openness, humilit! and inter-onnetedness with $fria, $sia and the $merias, from whihEurope #ene%ted so #ountifull!&Ree!en&es,. Fo! alle!s%ein"s !he%o!i&al Cues%ion see "B!audel and In%e!s&ien&e@ a

'!ea&he! %o e#'% 'ews" in Review: ou!nal o %he Fe!nand B!audel>en%e!. Hol. ,H. No. ,. 200,: SANJ. Bin)ha#%on6 Fo! F!ank"s&o##en% on B!audel"s "%oo li%%le" #e%hodolo) see %he a!&hives o -o!ld: Sunda ,0 ;e& ,5. See also au!i&e 8#a!d"s "ne B!audelin Seve!al" Review: ou!nal o %he Fe!nand B!audel >en%e!. Hol.H. No.,. 200,. In addi%ion %o %he SANJ Fe!nand B!audel >en%e!: %he!e is also%he Ins%i%u%o Fe!nand B!audel de +&ono#ia undial : B!aivilia!olina:,44


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. B!audel '.,50. P.27,0. '.273,,. '.27,2. ''.5 - E00

,3. See +#il +akin:"Fo! Bi) is%o!: %he Pas% be)ins a% %he Be)innin)"New Jo!k i#es: anua! ,2: 2002


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http://www.braudel.org.br/paping22.htm

"'E ()*"("+"E W' (* W'. /+B0(C$"()* RE*E$RC'ER* G+E*" B /R"+G+2*

PUBLICATIONS - Braudel Paper nº 22

3ernand Braudel, 'istorian

illia# . &Neill

When he died in 1985 Fernand Braudel was undoubtedly the worlds most influential professional historian. !is reputation was founded on a magnificent 1"1##$page boo% published

in 19&9 entitled 'a ()diterran)e et le monde m)diterran)en a l)po*ue de +hilippe ,,- and his

eminence was later consolidated by editorship 195$80 of the ournal nnales: 3conomies"4oci)t)s" i6ilisations" and at the 3cole +rati*ue des !autes 3tudes in +aris where a 6igorous

group of young historians formed around him in the famous nnales school.

;es'i%e )!owin) ad#inis%!a%ive du%ies: B!audel ound %i#e o! subs%an%ial!evision and enla!)e#en% o his a#ous book abou% %he edi%e!!anean. 8

http://www.braudel.org.br/ingtituc.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/members.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/reaserchers.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/guesting.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/indicep.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/indicei.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/ingtituc.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/members.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/reaserchers.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/guesting.htmhttp://www.braudel.org.br/indicep.htm


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se&ond edi%ion &a#e ou% in ,EE: si)ni*&an%l !esha'ed b new h'o%hesesand Cue!ies and ado!ned b #a's: &ha!%s and illus%!a%ions %ha% had beenabsen% !o# %he *!s% '!in%in). Si#ul%aneousl: he wo!ked %owa!ds a wo!ldhis%o!: 'ublished in a '!eli#ina! o!# in ,E7 as >ivilisa%ion #a%M!ielle e%

&a'i%alis#e: H e HIIIe si&le. his wo!k: %oo: was !evised when i% a''ea!edanew in ,7 as %he *!s% o %h!ee volu#es &olle&%ivelv en%i%led >ivilisa%ion:M&ono#ie e% &a'i%alis#e: H e HIII si&le. hen in his old a)e B!audellaun&hed: bu% ailed %o &o#'le%e: ano%he! len)%h his%o!: %his %i#e oF!an&e. I%s *!s% se&%ions a''ea!ed 'os%hu#ousl in ,E as /"Iden%i%M de laF!an&e in %h!ee s%ou% volu#es.

B!audel also w!o%e a %e1%book o! F!en&h se&onda! s&hools: en%i%led9!a##ai!e de &ivilisa%ions (,E3. I% su!veed %he wo!ld: &ivili


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&han)ed !o# an i#'e!ial na%ion wi%h a #a$o!i% o &i%i


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a% 8us%e!li%


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# lie: havin) &hosen %he eas wa ou%. vo&a%ion as a his%o!ian did no%&o#e %o #e un%il la%e!.""

In ,23: he be)an %ea&hin) his%o! in 8l)e!ia: *!s% a% a l&Me in >ons%an%ine

and %hen: a%e! a ea!: in 8l)ie!s i%sel. e &on%inued %o %ea&h %he!e un%il,32: e1&e'% o! a 'e!iod o #ili%a! se!vi&e: ,25-2E: whi&h he s'en% in %he9e!#an Rhineland as 'a!% o %he F!en&h a!# o o&&u'a%ion. he his%o! he%au)h% was wha% %he F!en&h s%a%e !eCui!ed@ a so!% o his%o! he la%e!dis'a!a)ed be&ause i% deal% onl wi%h su'e!*&ial 'oli%i&al and #ili%a!even%s. Je% he was &ons&ien%ious in doin) his du% and indeed &lai#s %ohave e#e!)ed !o# %he So!bonne wi%h %ho!ou)hl &onven%ional views:havin) o&used his 'e!sonal a%%en%ion like Dall le%is% s%uden%s a% %he %i#e""on %he F!en&h Revolu%ion o ,7.

8l%hou)h he was no% en%hused: no! dee'l &o##i%%ed %o his sub$e&% as %hus

&on&eived: he was a#bi%ious enou)h %o wish o! a unive!si% &a!ee!. his!eCui!ed hi# %o w!i%e an a&&e'%able %hesis on %he basis o '!i#a! sou!&eson a s&ale %ha% would Cuali hi# o! a do&%o!a%e. 8&&o!din)l: a%e!&onside!in) and %hen de&idin) his Dove!l F!en&h sen%i#en%sD #adeinves%i)a%in) 9e!#an his%o! unwise: he %u!ned ins%ead %o F!an&e"s olde!!ival: '!o'osin) %o w!i%e on %he S'ain o Phili' II and %he edi%e!!anean. is%ea&he!s a''!oved !eadil enou)h: and B!audel a&&o!din)l be)an wo!k in%he S'anish a!&hives a% Si#an&as in ,27 du!in) his su##e! va&a%ion. Fo!an in%ensel 'a%!io%i& F!en&h#an %o &hoose S'anish his%o! was i%selsu!'!isin). Residin) as he did: in 8l)ie!s: on %he o''osi%e sho!e o %heedi%e!!anean: B!audel had be)un %o &on%e#'la%e F!an&e !o# a dis%an&e:

and his %hesis soon %u!ned in%o an a&% o auda&i%: '!ovokin) hi# %o e1'lo!ea! wide! ho!i


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lie in all %he edi%e!!anean &oas%lands du!in) %he hal &en%u! when Kin)Phili'"s )ove!n#en% s%!u))led a)ains% %he %%o#an sul%ans o! do#ina%ion o %ha% sea and when %!anso&eani& +u!o'ean &onCues%s and &o##e!&e be)an%o shi% %he '!in&i'al &en%e!s o +u!o'ean e&ono#i& and 'oli%i&al 'owe! !o#

%he edi%e!!anean %o 8%lan%i& +u!o'e. 8 vas% hu#an 'ano!a#a e#e!)ed!o# his !esea!&hes: and unda#en%al Cues%ions abou% %he &ou!se o+u!o'ean and wo!ld his%o! a!ose in B!audel"s e!%ile i#a)ina%ion. Bu% %he#o!e he dis&ove!ed: %he #o!e %he!e was %o inCui!e in%o in a!&hives e%une1'lo!ed.

No wonde! %hen %ha% Da#on) # !iends and &ollea)ues i% was !e'u%ed %ha% Iwould neve! *nish %his ove!l a#bi%ious wo!k:D even %hou)h he neve!ven%u!ed in%o %he vas% %%o#an a!&hives: and onl used es% +u!o'eanlan)ua)es. None%heless: his a''e%i%e o! de%ail was insa%iable: and !o# %heve! be)innin) he dis&ove!ed how %o es&a'e %he li#i%s o va&a%ion-%i#e

!esea!&h b usin) a se&ondhand #ovie &a#e!a %o 'ho%o)!a'h %housands odo&u#en%s ea&h da he was able %o s'end in %he a!&hives. DI was:D he sas:Dundoub%edl %he *!s% use! o %!ue #i&!o*l#s: whi&h I develo'ed #sel andla%e! !ead: %h!ou)h lon) das and ni)h%s: wi%h a si#'le #a)i& lan%e!n.D

No% onl he. Fo! his wie: Paule: who# he *!s% #e% as a s%uden% in one o his8l)e!ian l&Me &lasses even%uall be&a#e an assiduous and skillul !eade! o %he endless !eels o #i&!o*l# %he a&&u#ula%ed. he!ea%e!: B!audel"ss&hola!l w!i%in) de'ended on he! !esea!&hes as #u&h as on his own. #e.B!audel ke'% he!sel ve! #u&h in %he ba&k)!ound: and in la%e! ea!s %endedhe! husband"s a#e and in?uen&e #o!e assiduousl %hen he did hi#sel.She: o! e1a#'le: was %he 'e!son who 'e!suaded hi# %o w!i%e %he DPe!sonal es%i#onD !o# whi&h I d!aw #os% o # ino!#a%ion abou% his &a!ee!: anda%e! his dea%h &on%inued %o '!e'a!e volu#es o his #is&ellaneous w!i%in)so! 'ubli&a%ion.


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In ,32 B!audel le% 8l)ie!s o! a %ea&hin) 'os% a% a l&Me in Pa!is. hisallowed hi# %o #ee% /u&ien Febv!e who was des%ined %o 'la a &!i%i&al !olein sha'in) his subseCuen% &a!ee!. hei! en&oun%e!s we!e onl &asual a% *!s%.Febv!e (,7-,5E was a 'u)na&ious: would-be !eo!#e! o F!en&h

his%o!io)!a'h. In 'a!%i&ula!: he was &o-ounde! wi%h a!& Blo&h o anin?uen%ial $ou!nal 8nnales d"his%oi!e M&ono#iCue e% so&iale: whi&h %heedi%ed %o)e%he! !o# ,2. Blo&h: who se!ved in %he F!en&h !esis%an&e: was&au)h% and killed b %he Naivilisa%ions.

B '!o&lai#in) %he i#'o!%an&e o e&ono#i& and so&ial his%o!: and'!ovokin) innu#e!able hea%ed deba%es abou% how bes% %o a''!oa&h %he

'as%: Febv!e and Blo&h inau)u!a%ed %he "8nnales s&hool" beo!e o!ld a! II.8%e! ,4E: Febv!e e1'anded %he i#'e!ial &lai#s o his s%le o "%o%al"his%o!: a!)uin) %ha% all %he hu#an s&ien&es #e% and #in)led in %he #indso a''!o'!ia%el %!ained his%o!ians. hen: when Febv!e died in ,5E: B!audelinhe!i%ed his 'osi%ion as edi%o! and in %he ensuin) %welve ea!s &a!!ied %hein?uen&e o %he 8nnales s&hool %o i%s 'eak.F!o# %hei! *!s% en&oun%e! in %he ea!l ,30s: Febv!e en&ou!a)ed B!audel %ob!oaden %he s&o'e o his %hesis !esea!&hes6 bu% %he %wo #en !e#ained onldis%an% a&Cuain%an&es un%il ,37. B %hen B!audel had s'en% %wo#e#o!able ea!s %ea&hin) a )ene!al &ou!se on %he his%o! o &ivili


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I% was in &a'%ivi% %ha% I w!o%e %ha% eno!#ous wo!k: sendin) s&hool &o'book a%e! s&hool &o' book %o /u&ien Febv!e. nl # #e#o! 'e!#i%%ed%his %ou! de o!&e. ad i% no% been o! # i#'!ison#en%: I would su!el have

w!i%%en a #u&h diGe!en% book.... Jes: I &on%e#'la%ed %he edi%e!!anean: %Q%e %Q%e: o! ea!s on end: a! %hou)h i% was !o# #e in s'a&e and %i#e. 8nd# vision o his%o! %ook on i%s de*ni%ive o!# wi%hou% # bein) en%i!elawa!e o i%: 'a!%l as a di!e&% in%elle&%ual !es'onse %o a s'e&%a&le - %heedi%e!!anean - whi&h no %!adi%ional his%o!i&al a&&oun% see#ed %o #e&a'able o en&o#'assin): and 'a!%l as a di!e&% e1is%en%ial !es'onse %o %he%!a)i& %i#es I was 'assin) %h!ou)h... 8ll %hose o&&u!!en&es whi&h 'ou!ed inu'on us !o# %he !adio... I had %o ou%dis%an&e: !e$e&%: den %he#. ;own wi%ho&&u!!en&es: es'e&iall ve1in) ones I had %o believe %ha% his%o!: des%inwas w!i%%en a% a #u&h #o!e '!oound level. >hoosin) a lon) %i#e- s&ale %oobse!ve !o# was &hoosin) %he 'osi%ion o 9od %he Fa%he! hi#sel as a

!eu)e. Fa! !e#oved !o# ou! 'e!sons and dail #ise!: his%o! was bein)#ade: shi%in) slowl as %he an&ien% lie o %he edi%e!!anean: whose'e!du!abili% and #a$es%i& i##obili% has o%en #oved #e. So i% was %ha% I&ons&iousl se% o!%h in sea!&h o an his%o!i&al lan)ua)e - %he #os% '!ooundI &ould )!as' o! inven% - in o!de! %o '!esen% un&han)in) (o! a% leas% ve!slowl &han)in) &ondi%ions whi&h s%ubbo!nl asse!% %he#selves ove! andove! a)ain. 8nd # book is o!)ani


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a''a!en%l &!i''lin) e% a&%uall libe!a%in) se'a!a%ion !o# %he %an)led#ass o his no%es and su''o!%in) do&u#en%a%ion: he #i)h% no% have beenable %o w!i%e abou% %he edi%e!!anean b: as he sas: D&hoosin) %he 'osi%iono 9od.D In 'a!%i&ula!: his uniCue &on&e'% o diGe!en% %e#'o!al s&ales o

&han)in) hu#an behavio!: o'e!a%in) si#ul%aneousl and wi%hin %he sa#e)eo)!a'hi&al s'a&e: #i)h% neve! have e#e!)ed. his odd and lo)i&all dubious o!)ani


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di#ensions o %he edi%e!!anean in %he si1%een%h &en%u! should besu))es%ed %h!ou)h a se!ies o e1a#'les: b sele&%in) &e!%ain i#'o!%an% andindi&a%ive de%ails..... Bu% %his would #ean leavin) eno!#ous blank s'a&esbe%ween %he s'e&ks o &olo!6 a% bes% i% would onl )ive an i#'!essionis%i&

no%ion o %he dis%an&e %ha% se'a!a%es ou! wo!ld !o# %ha% o %he si1%een%h&en%u!. oda in ,EE: when %he se&ond edi%ion &a#e ou%T on %he o%he!hand: I a# #o!e a%%!a&%ed %owa!ds %he lan)ua)e o wha% e&ono#is%s &allna%ional a&&oun%in).

B!audel: in sho!%: ound hi#sel %o!n be%ween %he )ene!ali


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a%%!a&%ive %o a#bi%ious oun) his%o!ians. 8none wi%h a new Cues%ion waswel&o#e in %he $ou!nal"s 'a)es. New %he#es and widel dis&o!dan%a''!oa&hes %o %he 'as% %hus '!olie!a%ed unde! B!audel"s beni)n edi%o!ial $u!isdi&%ion !e?e&%in) his own li#i%less &u!iosi% and o'en-#indedness.

Je% %he !evision o he edi%e!!anean: and all his eGo!%s %o #ake his%o! a#o!e 'e!e&% s&ien&e (o%en b h'o%he%i&al Cuan%i*&a%ion: ell sho!% o hisho'es: and !e)ula!l '!ovoked hi# %o &all o! u!%he! !esea!&h %o %es% his)uesses and '!eli#ina! &al&ula%ions. B!audel in eGe&% ound hi#sel wi%h a&olle&%ion o lea!ned: deli)h%ul &ha'%e!s on his hands: ea&h as&ina%in) ini%sel bu% onl slende!l &onne&%ed wi%h wha% wen% beo!e o! ollowed a%e!.is %e&hniCue in %he *!s% edi%ion !ese#bled %ha% o %he 'oin%illis%e 'ain%e!s o %he nine%een%h &en%u! who used innu#e!able se'a!a%e do%s o 'ain% %ode'i&% eve!da s&enes !elin) on %he ee o %he beholde! %o blend %he#%o)e%he! in%o a &o#'!ehensible whole. 8nd o! innu#e!able !eade!s:

B!audel"s %e&hniCue wo!ked wonde!ull well: &onvein) a vivid: &onvin&in)sense o wha% lie in %he lands o %he edi%e!!anean had a&%uall been like in%he si1%een%h &en%u!.

B &o#'a!ison: %he eGo!%s he #ade %o *% his #a)ni*&en%: #ul%i&olo!ed'o!%!ai% in%o a s&ien%i*& s%!ai)h%$a&ke%: &on&eived alon) e&ono#is%i& lineswas a ailu!e. e was %!in) %o 'u% a saddle on a &ow: ho'in) %o !ide oG in%o%he sunse% and dis&ove! a &o#'le%e unde!s%andin) o %he 'as%. Je% hisCui1o%i& a%%e#'% %o !edu&e his%o! %o Cuan%i*ed s&ien&e is ad#i!able in i%swa: sin&e i% s'eaks %o a dee' hu#an desi!e %o #ake wha%eve! ha''ens#eanin)ul. B!audel hi#sel was neve! su!e %ha% %he &on$un&%u!es he

e1'lo!ed %old %he %!u%h: #u&h less %he whole %!u%h. e saw hi#sel as a'ionee! whose hun&hes and %en%a%ive o!#ula%ions would have %o be&o!!e&%ed and !e'la&ed b subseCuen%: #o!e de%ailed and '!e&iseCuan%i*e!s6 and neve! en%i!el o!)o% %ha% o%he! lines o inCui! - evolvin)#en%ali%Ms o! e1a#'le %ha% /u&ien Febv!e had %u!ned his a%%en%ion %o in hisla%e! ea!s - #i)h% be needed %o su''le#en% %he na!!owl e&ono#i&#easu!e#en%s on whi&h B!audel o&used nea!l all his eGo!%s.

8n obvious - and delibe!a%e - de*&ien& o he edi%e!!anean was %he !a%he!'e!un&%o! %!ea%#en% o 'oli%i&al aGai!s in %he *nal 'a!% o %he book. hiswas a wa o '!o&lai#in) how su'e!*&ial and even %!ivial we!e %he

'!eo&&u'a%ions o B!audel"s a&ade#i& !ivals. Je% in his ea)e!ness %o #ake%he sho!%&o#in)s o #e!el 'oli%i&al his%o!ians a''a!en% B!audel in%!odu&eda la!)e! and #o!e da#a)in) s%!u&%u!al in&ohe!en&e in%o his book. Fo! hiseGo!% %o dis&e!n %he &on$un&%u!es and s%!u&%u!es o e&ono#i& lie in %he#iddle se&%ion o %he book: as !evised: dan)le en%i!el un&onne&%ed %o'oli%i&al s%!u&%u!es and &han)es o 'a!% %h!ee6 and bo%h o %hese "&hains" oha''enin)s !e#ained un!ela%ed %o %he (os%ensibl un&han)in) )eo)!a'hi&allon)ue du!Me so skilull se% o!%h in %he *!s% %h!ee hund!ed and *% 'a)es.


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8s a !esul%: %he *!s% edi%ion o he edi%e!!anean was: I believe: a )!ea%e!li%e!a! #as%e!'ie&e %han %he se&ond6 while %he in%elle&%ual ounda%ions obo%h edi%ions we!e se!iousl ?awed. Fo!: in addi%ion %o %he '!oble# o how %o

unde!s%and %he in%e!a&%ion o s%!u&%u!e and '!o&ess on %h!ee diGe!en% bu%ove!la''in) %i#e-s&ales: B!audel &hose %o ne)le&% di#ensions o his sub$e&%%ha% #os% his%o!ians !e)a!d as essen%ial. In 'a!%i&ula!: he had al#os% no%hin)%o sa abou% !eli)ion o! abou% o%he! in%elle&%ual ideas and &u!!en%s oo'inion. Je% %he a)e o Philli' II (!ei)ned l55E-,5 was when %he &lash oP!o%es%an%s and >a%holi&s assu#ed a new in%ensi% %h!ou)hou% +u!o'e:&o#'e%in) wi%h and o%en ou%wei)hin) %he lon)-s%andin) &lash be%ween>h!is%ians and osle#s in %he edi%e!!anean. e!e %he lon)ue du!Me:e&ono#i& &on$un&%u!es and %he a&%ions o %he %%o#an and S'anish)ove!n#en%s unaGe&%ed b %he !eli)ious &on%!ove!sies o %he a)e= I% see#sunlikel6 bu% %his is wha% B!audel"s 'a)es i#'l wi%hou% sain) so e1'li&i%l.

ei! %o i&hele%"s so!% o F!en&h an%i-&le!i&alis#. B!audel disdained!eli)iosi%: and a&&o!din)l el% !ee %o e1&lude a leadin) di#ension o&on%e#'o!a! &ons&iousness !o# his his%o!. e was as&ina%ed ins%ead b!ou%ines o eve!da wo!k and e&ono#i& e1&han)es. B!in)in) %hese ba&k %olie in all %hei! &on&!e%eness was wha% !eall #a%%e!ed %o hi#. Reli)ious ideasand 'oli%i&al-#ili%a! 'lans: bein) based on e#'% ho'es and ss%e#a%i&sel-de&e'%ion: we!e: b &o#'a!ison %he s%uG o d!ea#s: and dese!ved %o bedis#issed as #a!)inal: %!ivial: uni#'o!%an%.hen he was !evisin) he edi%e!!anean: B!audel &onside!ed o#i%%in)'oli%i&s and %he 'e!son o Phili' II en%i!el: bu% in %he end de&ided: !a%he!!elu&%an%l %o !e%ain %he 'oli%i&al na!!a%ive %ha% %he e1'e&%a%ions o %he

'!oesso!s who a''!oved his %hesis had !eCui!ed. Bu% a#a


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e1'!ession.

B!audel did indeed 'o!%!a &on&!e%e: eve!da: and anon#ous hu#anbehavio! in edi%e!!anean lands&a'es as no one had done beo!e6 and %his

!e#ains %he las%in): dis%in&%ive a&hieve#en% o his )!ea%es% book. B&o#'a!ison: when he %u!ned his a%%en%ion !o# %he edi%e!!anean he had&o#e %o know so well %o %he wide! wo!ld: sa#e o %he su!eness o %ou&h:%ha% #ade his 'oin%illis%e %e&hniCue eGe&%ive: dese!%ed hi#. >onseCuen%l:al%hou)h >ivilia'i%alis# in%!odu&ed a new %!i'a!%i%e '!in&i'le o!his%o!i&al analsis: and &on%ains #an ins%!u&%ive and &onvin&in) 'assa)es:es'e&iall %hose dealin) wi%h +u!o'e: i% !e#ains ine!io! %o i%s '!ede&esso!.Re)!e%%abl: B!audel knew %oo li%%le abou% %he >hinese and o%he! non-+u!o'ean 'eo'les %o 'i&k ou% ke de%ails une!!in)l: as he had done in heedi%e!!anean. Sin&e he !elied en%i!el on +u!o'ean sou!&es: %he !i&h)!oundin) in lo&al a!&hives %ha% sus%ained %he ea!lie! book: was also

#issin).

>ivilia'i%alis# was ini%iall &on&eived in ,50 as 'a!% o a se!ies;es%ins du onde: edi%ed b /u&ien Febv!e. I% was desi)ned %o se!ve as&o#'anion 'ie&e %o a book Febv!e hi#sel %en%a%ivel en%i%led es%e!n hou)h% and Belie: ,400-,00. Bu% Febv!e died in l5E wi%hou% leavin) a'ublishable #anus&!i'%: %hus &o#'ellin) B!audel"s delibe!a%el lo'-sided


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wo!k %o s%and alone. his invi%ed B!audel %o indul)e his in%e!es% in de%ails oeve!da: #a%e!ial lie and his in%elle&%ual '!edeli&%ion o! e&ono#i& his%o!and e1&used: #o!e 'lausibl %han beo!e: his ina%%en%ion %o %hou)h%: s&ien&eand !eli)ion.

he ini%ial ve!sion: 'ublished in ,E7: &ono!#ed %o %he 'a%%e!n o ;es%insdu onde: and: bein) desi)ned o! )ene!al !eade!s: la&ked oo%no%es. Bu%B!audel was no% &on%en%. 8 wide! vision o %he hu#an &ondi%ion in #ode!n%i#es had be)un %o dawn on hi#: so he '!o&eeded %o !evise and e1'and hiss%ud o %he )lobal e&ono# be%ween ,400 and ,00 !eissuin) %he'ubli&a%ion o ,E7 in ,7 as %he *!s% volu#e o %h!ee: wi%h a new %i%le: andwi%h a se% o labo!iousl !e&ons%!u&%ed oo%no%es based on elli'%i&alno%a%ions he had #ade when '!e'a!in) %he *!s% ve!sion. e dedi&a%ed %ha%volu#e %o DPaule B!audel: who was dedi&a%ed %o %his book.D P!esu#abl i%was she who was #ainl !es'onsible o! !e-inven%in) %he oo%no%es: while

&on%inuin) %o assis% hi#: as alwas: b indus%!iousl %akin) no%es o! %hela%e! volu#es.

B!audel"s new #as%e! idea o! o!)aniivilia'i%alis#de'ended on d!awin) a sha!' dis%in&%ion be%ween &a'i%alis# and wha% he&alled D#a!ke% e&ono#ies.D e was awa!e o how s%!an)e %ha% sounded in%he Ani%ed S%a%es: and %ook %he o&&asion o le&%u!es a% ohns o'kins in,7E %o su##a!i


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deli)h%ed in 'o!%!ain) %he eve!da !ou%ines o #a%e!ial lie. e!e was hisdown-%o-ea!%h hu#an !eali%. No less &lea!l: he disliked &a'i%alis%s o!%akin) unai! advan%a)e o o!dina! 'eo'le: %hanks %o %hei! #ono'ol o!ead &ash and o ino!#a%ion abou% '!i&es and &!edi% in dis%an% 'la&es. 8lso:

as a F!en&h 'a%!io%: he lo&a%ed %he evils o &a'i%alis# *!s% in olland and%hen in +n)land wi%h %he indus%!ial !evolu%ion o %he ei)h%een%h &en%u!.o!eove!: %hese !a'a&ious o!ei)ne!s '!o&eeded %o e1'loi% his beloved !u!aland s#all-%own F!an&e: whi&h: he de&la!ed: had been Dsei


22/26

o!e )ene!all: Ds&ien%i*&D abs%!a&% )ene!alions&ious 'u!'oses we!e no% enou)h@ '!o&esses - lon)ue du!Me:&on$on&%u!e: and who knows wha% else= - deea%ed even %he #os% &a!eulhu#an 'lans. &ou!se: 'eo'le have alwas no%i&ed %ha% in%en%ions and

e1'e!ien&e neve! Cui%e &oin&ide. !adi%ional e1'lana%ions a%%!ibu%ed su&hdis&!e'an& %o Fo!%une: >han&e o! 9od"s hidden 'u!'oses. B!audel was no%&on%en% wi%h %hose answe!s: even %hou)h %he s&ien%i*& s%!u&%u!es and&on$un&%u!es he used as 'a!%ial e1'lana%ion neve! sa%is*ed hi# ei%he!.

an o B!audel"s &on%e#'o!a!ies a#on) a&ade#i& his%o!ians also lookedbehind &ons&ious !e&o!ded 'u!'oses o! in%elle&%uall in%elli)ible '!o&essesaGe&%in) %he hu#an 'as%. No%hin) like &onsensus e#e!)ed6 bu% %he sea!&his unlikel %o be )iven u'. B!audel"s !ole: %h!ou)h his own books and asleade! o %he 'os%-o!ld a! II )ene!a%ion o F!en&h his%o!ians o %he8nnales s&hool: )ave hi# a &en%!al !ole in shi%in) '!oessional a%%en%ion

!o# wha% %he dead said and did - delibe!a%el and &ons&iousl - %ounin%ended: &olle&%ive '!o&esses %ha% %hei! behavio! se% in #o%ion. his: i%see#s %o #e: is %he &en%!al de'a!%u!e !o# olde! views %ha% aGe&%ed %hehis%o!i&al '!oession a%e! o!ld a! II. B!audel 'laed a leadin) !ole ino!wa!din) %his &han)e6 and his endu!in) in?uen&e will '!obabl !es% on %ha%si#'le a&%. he se&ond ea%u!e o B!audel"s a&&o#'lish#en% was %he wo!ld-wide visiono %he hu#an 'as% he &a#e %o e#b!a&e. is !ea&h o! a! ho!i


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al!ead eviden% in he edi%e!!anean: when he e1'lo!ed %he (Cui%e li%e!all)lobal !ival!ies o %he S'anish and %%o#an )ove!n#en%s: while seein) %heSaha!a less as a ba!!ie! %han as a navi)able sea o sand &onne&%in)edi%e!!anean and 8!i&an 'eo'les. B!audel"s )lobalis# be&a#e e1'li&i% in

>ivilia'i%alis#: even %hou)h he was a! #o!e a#ilia! wi%h %he+u!o'ean s&ene %han wi%h o%he! 'a!%s o %he ea!%h and alwas !e#ainedCuin%essen%iall F!en&h in %as%e and ou%look.

o!ld his%o!: %oo: is a )!owin) *eld o inCui!: %hou)h i% has e% %o a&hieveull !es'e&%abili% a#on) a&ade#i& his%o!ians ei%he! in F!an&e o! in o%he!&oun%!ies. B!audel"s ven%u!e %owa!ds )lobal his%o!: &on*ned %hou)h i% was%o e&ono#i& aGai!s be%ween ,400 and ,00: !anks as one o %he #os%i#'!essive e1a#'les o how a sin)le au%ho! &an #ake %he whole wo!ld *%in%o an in%elli)ible 'i&%u!e o %i#es 'as%.

hese a&hieve#en%s: %o)e%he! wi%h %he a!!a o 8nnalis%e his%o!ians B!audelhel'ed %o sha'e: assu!e hi# o a leadin) 'la&e a#on) his%o!ians o %he%wen%ie%h &en%u!. o!eove!: his li%e!a! skill and his livel inCui! in%o howo!dina! 'eo'le lived see# likel %o assu!e lon)-las%in): wides'!eada%%en%ion %o wha% he w!o%e. B!audel: in sho!%: as an au%hen%i& hei! oe!odo%us: dese!ves his !e'u%a%ion as %he #os% in?uen%ial his%o!ian o his%i#e: des'i%e %he ailu!e o his hu&ididean eGo!% %o !edu&e %he #ul%ia!iousva!ie% o hu#an behavio! %o %he &ons%!ain%s o )ene!alien%u!. he wo!ld e&ono# is %he )!ea%es% 'ossible vib!a%in) su!a&e:


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one whi&h no% onl a&&e'%s %he &on$un&%u!e bu%: a% a &e!%ain de'%h o! level:#anua&%u!es i%. I% is %he wo!ld e&ono# a% all even%s whi&h &!ea%es %heunio!#i% o '!i&es ove! a hu)e a!ea: as an a!%e!ial ss%e# dis%!ibu%es blood%h!ou)hou% a livin) o!)anis#. I% is a s%!u&%u!e in i%sel....he e&ono#: all-

invadin): #in)lin) %o)e%he! &u!!en&ies and &o##odi%ies: %ended %o '!o#o%euni% o a kind in a wo!ld whe!e eve!%hin) else see#ed %o be &ons'i!in) %o&!ea%e &lea!l-dis%in)uished blo&s.V V V he #e%!o'olis was a su'e!-&i%. 8 wo!ld-&i% &ould no% !ea&h and #ain%aini%s hi)h s%anda!d o livin) wi%hou% so#e sa&!i*&es: willin)l o! unwillin)l#ade b o%he! la!)e %owns....Pe!ha's %he #os% dis%in&%ive &ha!a&%e!is%i& oall o %hese su'e!-&i%ies was %hei! '!e&o&ious and '!onoun&ed so&ialdive!si*&a%ion. he all had a '!ole%a!ia%: a bou!)eoisie: and a 'a%!i&ia%e: %hela%%e! &on%!ollin) all weal%h and 'owe! and so sel-&on*den% %ha% beo!e lon)i% did no% even bo%he!: as i% had in Heni&e o! 9enoa in %he old das: %o %ake

%he %i%le o nobili. Pa%!i&ia%e and '!ole%a!ia% indeed )!ew u!%he! a'a!%: as %he!i&h be&a#e !i&he! and %he 'oo! even 'oo!e!: sin&e %he bese%%in) sin o%hese 'ulsa%in) &a'i%alis% &i%ies was %hei! hi)h &os% o livin): no% %o #en%ion%he &ons%an% in?a%ion !esul%in) !o# %he in%!insi& na%u!e o %he hi)he! u!banun&%ions whose des%in i% was %o do#ina%e ad$a&en% e&ono#ies. +&ono#i&lie ?owed s'on%aneousl %owa!ds %hei! hi)h '!i&es. Bu% &au)h% in %his hi)h-%ension ss%e#: %he &i% and %he e&ono# &on&en%!a%ed u'on i% !an %he !isko bein) bu!ned. In /ondon and 8#s%e!da#: %he &os% o livin) so#e%i#es!ea&hed well-ni)h in%ole!able levels: $us% as New Jo!k %oda is losin) i%s *!#sand businesses: as %he leave %o es&a'e %he hu)e &os% o lo&al !a%es and%a1es.

8nd e% %hese )!ea% u!ban &en%!es a''ealed %oo s%!on)l %o in%e!es% andi#a)ina%ion no% %o be hea!d: as i individuals ho'ed %o be able %o %ake 'a!% in%he s'e&%a&le: %he lu1u! and %he hi)h lie o %he %own and %o o!)e% %he'!oble#s o eve!da livin). hese wo!ld-&i%ies 'u% all %hei! deli)h%s ondis'la. Seen %h!ou)h a !e#inis&en% )low: %he i#a)e !ea&hes absu!d'!o'o!%ions. 8 )uide o! %!avelle!s w!i%%en in ,E43 des&!ibes 8n%we!' in %he'!e&edin) &en%u!@ a &i% o 200:000 inhabi%an%s: "bo%h na%ionals ando!ei)ne!s": &a'able o %akin) "a% one %i#e in %he 'o!% 2500 shi's (whi&hwould wai% a #on%h lin) a% an&ho! wi%hou% bein) able %o unload"6 a %own o )!ea% weal%h: whi&h had 'aid >ha!les H 300 %ons o )old and in%o whi&h

%he!e ?owed eve! ea! "500 #illion in silve!: ,30 #illion in )old": "no%&oun%in) e1&han)e &u!!en& whi&h &o#es and )oes like %he %ide". Su&h a'i&%u!e is &o#'le%el un!ealis%i& - bu% %he!e was so#e%hin) behind %heh'e!bole. In ,57: 8lonso o!)ado"s is%o!ia de Sevilla &lai#ed %ha% "wi%h%he %!easu!e i#'o!%ed in%o %he &i%: eve! s%!ee% &ould have been 'aved wi%h)old and silve!" ;o#inan% &i%ies did no% do#ina%e o! eve!6 %he !e'la&edea&h o%he!. his was as %!ue a% %he su##i% as i% was a% eve! level o %heu!ban hie!a!&h. Su&h shi%s: whe!eve! %he o&&u!!ed (a% %he %o' o! hal-wa


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down wha%eve! %hei! &auses (e&ono#i& o! o%he!wise a!e alwas si)ni*&an%6%he in%e!!u'% %he &al# ?ow o his%o! and o'en u' 'e!s'e&%ives %ha% a!e %he#o!e '!e&ious o! bein) so !a!e. hen 8#s%e!da# !e'la&ed 8n%we!': when/ondon %ook ove! !o# 8#s%e!da#: o! when in abou% ,2: New Jo!k

ove!%ook /ondon: i% alwas #ean% a #assive his%o!i&al shi% o o!&es:!evealin) %he '!e&a!iousness o %he '!evious eCuilib!iu# and %he s%!en)%hso %he one whi&h was !e'la&in) i%. he !ole &i!&le o %he wo!ld-e&ono# wasaGe&%ed b su&h &han)es and %he !e'e!&ussions we!e neve! e1&lusivele&ono#i&: as %he !eade! will '!obabl al!ead sus'e&%.V V V he edi%e!!anean. h!ou)hou% +u!o'e: %oo densel 'o'ula%ed o! i%s!esou!&es and no lon)e! !idin) a wave o e&ono#i& )!ow%h: even in u!ke:%he %!end was %owa!d a 'au'e!i


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19857+ an The "ursuit of "ower 1927This essa# was prepare forthe c#cle of seminars on .rauel:s trilo)#+ Civilization an Capitalism+or)anize ,# the .rauel nstitute %is previous essa#s in .rauel "aperswere ;The Risin) Tie of &r,an

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