East Asia East Asia

One measure of scientific impact:

Nobel Prizes Awarded to Asian Scientists Japan, 15 (12) China, 2 (0) India, 4 (3) Taiwan, 3 (0)

United States United States United Kingdom United Kingdom France France Germany Germany Japan Japan Italy Italy Canada Canada Top contributors to the Human Genome Project Top contributors to the Human Genome Project United States United States United Kingdom United Kingdom France France Germany Germany Japan Japan China China China G7 Group of “major” industrialized countries

The “Rise of the West” The G7 nations account for 2/3 of the world’s economic output & growth. The G7 nations account for 2/3 of the world’s economic output & growth. Just 200 years ago, China and India held that position. Just 200 years ago, China and India held that position. What happened in the world to account for these changes in a relatively short period of time? What happened in the world to account for these changes in a relatively short period of time? Western nations typically point to their cultural superiority as an explanation. Western nations typically point to their cultural superiority as an explanation.

Western Superiority? 16th century- Renaissance: Spanish conquist- adors vanquished entire American civilizations, was the Christian religion the cause? 16th century- Renaissance: Spanish conquist- adors vanquished entire American civilizations, was the Christian religion the cause? 17th century- Enlightenment: cause must be Greek heritage of secular, rationalistic, and scientific thought. 17th century- Enlightenment: cause must be Greek heritage of secular, rationalistic, and scientific thought. 18th century- French & American revolutions: equality, liberty and brotherhood! The West was progressing faster that the rest of the world. 18th century- French & American revolutions: equality, liberty and brotherhood! The West was progressing faster that the rest of the world. 19th century- post-Industrial revolution: ascent of West is complete. 19th century- post-Industrial revolution: ascent of West is complete.

“Diffusionist Theory” Democracy was developed in Greece Democracy was developed in Greece Passed on to Rome Passed on to Rome Rediscovered by Europe during the Renaissance Rediscovered by Europe during the Renaissance Elaborated during the Enlightenment Elaborated during the Enlightenment Finally fulfilled during the Revolutions Finally fulfilled during the Revolutions It, along with Modernization, has been diffusing out to the rest of the world ever since It, along with Modernization, has been diffusing out to the rest of the world ever since

Problem with Diffusionist Theory: Predicts that gap between wealthy and poor countries should shrink- it is actually growing. Problem with Diffusionist Theory: Predicts that gap between wealthy and poor countries should shrink- it is actually growing. Other explanations for European superiority: cultural values cultural values environmental differences environmental differences political/military differences political/military differences demographic differences demographic differences

Eurocentrism belief that “the West has some unique historical advantage, some special quality of race or culture or environment or mind or spirit, which gave this human community a permanent superiority over all other communities” belief that “the West has some unique historical advantage, some special quality of race or culture or environment or mind or spirit, which gave this human community a permanent superiority over all other communities” Eurocentrism has been called: 1) a myth 2) an ideology 3) a theory 4) a master narrative 5) a paradigm

Contingency Was the “Rise of the West” inevitable? Was the “Rise of the West” inevitable? The author believes it was “contingent on other developments that happened independently elsewhere in the world”. The author believes it was “contingent on other developments that happened independently elsewhere in the world”. The economic engine which drove global trade for much of history was Asia, not Europe. The economic engine which drove global trade for much of history was Asia, not Europe. It was the European desire to trade with Asia which lead to the discovery of America. It was the European desire to trade with Asia which lead to the discovery of America. Large coal deposits in England meant that industrialization based on steam engines could be achieved. Large coal deposits in England meant that industrialization based on steam engines could be achieved.

The Future If the “Rise of the West” was inevitable- then nothing we do now can change the future concerning Western dominance. If the “Rise of the West” was inevitable- then nothing we do now can change the future concerning Western dominance. If it was highly contingent on other events- the future is contingent on what we do now. If it was highly contingent on other events- the future is contingent on what we do now.

Conjunctures “when several otherwise independent developments come together in ways that interact with one another, creating a unique historical moment.” “when several otherwise independent developments come together in ways that interact with one another, creating a unique historical moment.” “things happening in different parts of the world for reasons having to do with local circumstances that then become globally important.” “things happening in different parts of the world for reasons having to do with local circumstances that then become globally important.” Example: development of nation-states in Europe converged on Industrial Revolution to provide the basis for military preeminence Example: development of nation-states in Europe converged on Industrial Revolution to provide the basis for military preeminence