The Cynical Historian

Oriental Despotism - the problem with Modernization theory | Why the West is Strong (2016x13)

Air date: Mar 26, 2016

Awhile ago, I asked the question of “Why is the West Strong?” I gave the standard modernization theory answer, which you can click here to watch that. We’re just going to keep going with that theory, and see how dark a path it may wind. ------------------------------------------------------------ more videos: previous: https://youtu.be/BlOYsCfe-Ig related: https://youtu.be/dlcgcq5lQOc ------------------------------------------------------------ SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=CynicalCypher88 contribute to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CynicalHistorian LET'S CONNECT: https://www.facebook.com/cynicalcypher88 https://twitter.com/Cynical_History ------------------------------------------------------------ wiki: The theory of the Asiatic mode of production (AMP) was devised by Karl Marx around the early 1850s. The essence of the theory has been described as "[the] suggestion ... that Asiatic societies were held in thrall by a despotic ruling clique, residing in central cities and directly expropriating surplus from largely autarkic and generally undifferentiated village communities."[1] The theory continues to arouse heated discussion among contemporary Marxists and non-Marxists alike. Some have rejected the whole concept on the grounds that the socio-economic formations of pre-capitalist Asia did not differ enough from those of feudal Europe to warrant special designation.[2] Aside from Marx, Friedrich Engels was also an enthusiastic commentator on the AMP. They both focused on the socio-economic base of AMP society.[3] ------------------------------------------------------------ Hashtags: #History #OrientalDespotism #Marx #HydrolicSocieties #West #ModernizationTheory #Aristotle #AsiaticFormOfProduction