01/10 Intro to Part 4

I thought it was interesting that Strayer referenced that the early modern era is commonly associated as showing “initials signs or markers of the modern world” (547). Interesting largely because for the most part we associate the early modern era as being so long ago that it’s almost impossible to relate. His descriptions of globalization in the early modern era (and even before the early modern era) did, however, make this time relatable to things I see prevailing in our culture and in society as I know it today. It was especially interesting to see that many of the countries Strayer referenced as being big powerhouses of trade and manufacturing are still big international players in those areas (ex. Vietnam). 


Despite all of this, I was actually very surprised to learn that cultural and social progression was not taking place at the same rate at which technological and military changes were happening. For example, Strayer mentioned that in Europe, “male landowning aristocrats remained at the top of the social hierarchy” (549). China was following in the same trends of remaining a largely male-dominated society. India remained loyal to the caste system too. This reminded me that social justice as we know it today is actually extremely new, and that the concept of women’s rights is even more new.

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