We Were Never Pure: A Long History of Globalization
2025-01-10
This essay challenges the notion that globalization began in the 1990s, arguing instead that it's a continuous process throughout human history. By analyzing historical markets, the Columbian Exchange, and cultural exchanges, the author demonstrates that cultural blending isn't a modern phenomenon but a fundamental characteristic of human societal evolution. The article critiques the view of globalization as a threat, suggesting this stems from historical amnesia and a fantasy of 'pure cultures.' It calls for recognizing globalization as the driving force of human cultural evolution, not a catastrophe.
(aeon.co)