The Structure of World History

In this major, paradigm-shifting work, Kojin Karatani systematically re-reads Marx's version of world history, shifting the focus of critique from modes of production to modes of exchange. Karatani seeks to understand both Capital-Nation-State, the interlocking system that is the dominant form of modern global society, and the possibilities for superseding it. In The Structure of World History, he traces different modes of exchange, including the pooling of resources that characterizes nomadic tribes, the gift exchange systems developed after the adoption of fixed-settlement agriculture, the exchange of obedience for protection that arises with the emergence of the state, the commodity exchanges that characterize capitalism, and, finally, a future mode of exchange based on the return of gift exchange, albeit modified for the contemporary moment. He argues that this final stage-marking the overcoming of capital, nation, and state-is best understood in light of Kant's writings on eternal peace. The Structure of World History is in many ways the capstone of Karatani's brilliant career, yet it also signals new directions in his thought.

Translator's Note vii

Author's Preface to the English Translation ix

Preface xiii

Introduction. On Modes of Exchange 1

Part I. Mini World Systems 29

1. The Sedentary Revolution 35

2. The Gift and Magic 50

Part II. World-Empire 57

3. The State 63

4. World Money 81

5. World Empires 104

6. Universal Religions 127

Part III. The Modern World System 157

7. The Modern State 165

8. Industrial Capital 182

9. Nation 209

10. Associationism 228

Part IV. The Present and the Future 265

11. The Stages of Global Capitalism and Repetition 267

12. Toward a World Republic 285

Acknowledgments 309

Notes 311

Bibliography 339

Index