An unconventional interpretation on periodization and dimensions of globalization in historical perspective

Abstract

Unlike the short-term business cycles, globalization has developed in long waves surrounded by periods of booms and different types of crises. The phenomenon is usually associated with a process of the integration of national economies into a wider (global) sphere involving productive and financial markets. The current increased use of the term does not mean that the phenomenon is actually new. Hence, the article aims to analyse preconditions, periodization and dimensions of globalization in historical perspective. Many scholars have discussed its causes and consequences based on what has taken place in the last few decades, normally starting in the late 1970s. Nevertheless, the phenomenon has precedents in history, which means, it is not an exclusive occurrence of the capitalism of the late 20th century. A literature has flourished suggesting that the occurrence of greater global connectivity involving many areas of human activity and social interaction has occurred at times in history since a century (or even centuries) ago. So, the article postulates that globalization is not only secular but an ancient phenomenon. Therefore, proposes that non-economic aspects of global integration should be considered as key elements to survey the topic, which have been neglected by economists and economic historians. On this account, this paper proposes a systematization of the discussions on globalization from an interdisciplinary point of view based mainly on the contribution of Held (1999). It concludes that the beginning of the first historical occurrences of globalization occurred much as early as in the Middle Ages, and emphasises the importance of aspects of it outside economics, such as culture and language.