Abstract
This paper discusses trade and civilization in and around the Indian Ocean. It begins by describing the general link between an ocean and the development of peoples and civilizations lying within geographic proximity of it. The paper then goes on to review K.N. Chaudhuri's book "Trade and Civilization in the Indian Ocean: An Economic History from the Rise of Islam to 1750" that the contention he makes in the book that the Asian oceanic trade of the "Dark" and Middle Ages dramatically shaped Asian civilization.

From the Paper
"The last area of discussion is the manner by which the internal economies of the Asian societies were influenced and shaped into one form or another by the Indian Ocean. Without question, countries adopt their economies to the natural resources they have available to them. Trade can very easily lead to specialization in certain areas above and beyond all others and to economic and technological innovation of the highest magnitude. When examining pages 186 and 187 of Chaudhuri's text, one is immediately struck by how certain geographic locations specialized in certain export items, such as China specializing in the export of silk or rice. This development foreshadows in today's age of globalization, and it gives lie to the theory that the specialization brought about by a global market is somehow a twentieth century phenomenon. In a real sense, the indigenous economies of many Asian countries to the present have their antecedents in the Indian Ocean trade of the pre-modern epoch."

Tags:development, geographic, proximity, specialization

Abstract
This paper analyzes the relationship between trade and civilization around the Indian Ocean. It discusses the topic according to K.N. Chaudhuri in his book "Trade and Civilization in the Indian Ocean: An Economic History from the Rise of Islam to 1750." The paper argues that Chaudhuri's book is a sound one and that, had the Indian Ocean never existed, the nature of Asian civilization today and in the past would be radically different.

From the Paper
"Indian Ocean trade had a great impact upon the pre-modern Asian world. Political stability, marine law, technological innovation, the distribution of humanity along the coasts of every Asian nation touching the waters of the Indian Ocean, and national economies were all influenced profoundly by the Indian Ocean trade. The implications of this influence can even be seen today. Consequently, to understand the pre-modern history of Asia, one must first understand the interaction between the region and the Indian Ocean that has done so much to guide the course of history in that part of the world. In the end, the history of the world's great Asian civilizations cannot be told without telling the story of the Ocean that nourished--and continues to nourish--all of them."

Tags:distribution, development, mercantile, merchant

Abstract
The paper looks at how Chaudhuri argues that the Asian oceanic trade of the "Dark" and Middle Ages dramatically shaped Asian civilization and contributed to its mercantile, legal and technological evolution, while simultaneously shaping the population distribution of the area and the internal economies of each country. In the final analysis, this paper argues that Chaudhuri's book is a sound one and that - had the Indian Ocean never existed - the nature of Asian civilization today and in the past would be radically different.

Tags:chaudhuri, indian, ocean

Abstract
This paper tries to understand the business practices and trade cultures of the Aztecs by looking at the environment in which the Aztecs lived, worked and raised their families. The paper briefly discusses the Aztec's ability to maintain their fundamental beliefs and practices relating to internal business affairs and trade despite Spanish colonization, as well as the natural geographical environment of the Mesoamericans and how this helped in creating innovations in farming and agriculture. The paper compares traders and merchants of the Aztec empire to today's merchants and also analyzes how the various economic systems and business practices that the Aztecs practiced, though primitive, allowed the various market sectors and regions to come together to create an extraordinarily dynamic economy.

From the Paper
"Like many other Mesoamerican civilizations, the Aztecs relied heavily upon a variety of markets and business merchants to transport goods and commodities from the producer to the consumer. In this instance, the word "markets" does not connote what we today refer to as global and/or national markets, such as a country like Japan producing and marketing automobiles, televisions and audio equipment. Thus, "markets" refers to a physical space, such as a marketplace or agora as found in ancient Greece where buyers and sellers came together to exchange goods and services under the auspices of the reigning king or emperor."

Tags:ancient civilizations, trade culture

Abstract
This paper describes the effect of slavery on West Africa and the African civilization. The paper explores the general effect of slavery on future African civilizations?

Tags:slave, trade, future

Abstract
This work makes a thorough review of the available literature relating to U.S. trade relations and policy with China, as well as the impact that free trade has had upon human civil rights and democracy in the country of China. The paper states that one of the important outcomes of free trade in the country of China has been the reduction of poverty. This in turn, according to the paper, has lead to growing power vested in citizens of the country and less power vested in the ruling party. Furthermore, it asserts that the rapid change in China has been termed to be a 'transformation' in many primary aspects of living demonstrated in the improved economic and financial aspects in China, as well as serving to impact political aspects in the country as well. The paper concludes that the government in China does not appear to be ready to shun the economic benefits of trade liberalization even if that means making room for the effects of democratization that goes along with economic benefits.

Outline:
Introduction
Idealism versus Realism
Free Trade: U.S.and China Trade Relations
Trade Liberalization and Democratization
Creeping Democratization (Minxin, 1995)
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"The work of Ying Ma relates that in spite of what the United States or even the citizens of China may desire, 'the Chinese Government has so far quashed and neutralized pressure for fundamental political change. Beijing controls and stunts precisely those instruments that contribute to the success of broad-cased domestic opposition: It cracks down on political opponents, co-opts potential ones, and indoctrinates the masses. It is eagerly attempting to maximize economic modernization while minimizing its liberalizing effects.' (Ma, 2007) Ying Ma states that there are several 'concrete steps' that might assist promotion of democracy in China. The first of these steps is that 'the United States should not wade into the quandary of slowing Chinese economic growth and cannot stop the Chinese government from institutionalization itself or co-opting its rival political groups,...' however it is possible that the U.S. can do more toward combating 'other sources of authoritarian resilience by strengthening China's political opposition and countering the regime's restriction of coordination goods that range from press freedom to the ability to organize.'"

Tags:trade, democracy, benefits, economics, politics, liberalization

Abstract
African people and culture have contributed in a very significant way towards world civilization. This paper shows that historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence supports the theory that the civilization of ancient Egypt, the first that history records, was actually Negroid in origin and that the original inhabitants of the Nile Valley were black Africans, subsequently displaced by the migration of Arabs and Europeans. The paper also examines empires like the Ashanti and the Songhai, which were so dominant in matters of trade and warfare that they actually rivaled their European counterparts, even in pre-colonial eras.

From the Paper
"African people and culture have contributed in a very significant way towards world civilization. According to Diop, the historical, archeological and anthropological evidence supports the theory that the civilization of ancient Egypt, the first that history records, was actually Negroid in origin {Diop, 1974}. No matter how the truth is bended, the fact remains that the original inhabitors of the Nile Valley area now called Egypt were black Africans, subsequently displaced by the migration of Arabs and Europeans into the African Continent. The Pyramids of Egypt stands as a testament to the black origins of world civilization. With lots of irrefutable evidence, history could no longer deny the fact that civilization started in Africa in the Nile valley, where pre-historic tools were first discovered. The Pyramids of Egypt, one of the Seven Wonders of the World still bewilder Scientists and Structural Engineers who still have no clues or theories explaining how those structures were put together."

Tags:leadership, pyramids, sahara

Abstract
The West African slave trade to the New World-North and South America-is not by any means the first example of slavery. In fact, the use of slaves for domestic and/or agricultural work has been part of every civilization and complex society from the earliest recorded times. However, when it comes to the scope and organization of the slave trade, nothing in recorded history matches what took place between the 16th and 19th centuries along the Western coast of Africa.

Tags:western, african, slave

Abstract
The paper explores the functions of free trade areas and their effects on economic prosperity, civil liberties and the allocation of resources. The paper looks at several free trade areas, including the Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the U.S.-Australian Free Trade Agreement to examine the impact of free trade areas on the international trade activities and economies of member countries. Finally, the paper looks at proposed free trade agreements in the pipeline and the future of economic cooperation and integration.

Outline:
Introduction
Function of a Free Trade Area
Impact on International Trade of Member Countries
The U.S.-Australian Free Trade Agreement
The Future

From the Paper
"There are five fundamental groupings for regional economic integration, ranging from regional cooperation for development, which requires the least amount of integration, to the ultimate integration of political union. On one end of the spectrum lie the regional cooperation groups, such as the regional cooperation for development: the most basic economic integration and cooperation. A free trade area (FTA) can be called the second stage of economic integration as it requires more cooperation and integration the RCD. It is an agreement between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate customs duties and non-tariff trade barriers among partner countries while members maintain individual tariff schedules for external countries. Essentially, an FTA provides its members with a mass market without barriers to impede the flow of goods and services (Cateora & Graham, 2005)."

Tags:barriers, tariffs, exports, market, cooperation

Abstract
This paper describes the trade routes that existed during the early period of Korean history when the kingdoms of Korea were developing a unique culture that interacted with the civilizations flourishing throughout Asia. The thesis of this paper is that it was the combination of the many contacts with the rest of Asia that resulted in the unique development of the Korean State and its role in influencing religious development in both China and Japan. It also discusses the relationships Korea had with the rest of Asia early in its history. This should set the stage for the reader to understand not only what influences were acting upon Korea in the pre-Choson period of Korean history, but the relevance of Korea in the early days of her history to the political and economic developments in Asia.

From the Paper
"Ships moving up the coast of China to Korea came to the city of Ch?u-chou, located at the juncture of the grand Canal and the Huai River, where ocean going vessels could meet smaller boats from the Yang-chou and the Yangtze River system to the south and the river craft of the upper Huai and Pien Rivers leading westward toward the capital region. (Reishauer p. 281) The route led from the Shantung the Yongdang Peninsula. There ships met a land route moving north forming a link with the trade route of the steppes. A more southern route and a southern route was from Chungju on the Shantung Peninsula to the Liaotung Peninsula and on to Lolang in Koguryo. The sea route continued down the coast of the river ports of the Han and Kum, Paekma, and Yongsan Rivers and there was routine boat traffic along the Tanjin in South Chungjan Province."

Tags:ajok, balkans, bikhuni, caspian, chinese, chinhuyng, choson, chou, chuan, chungjan, gupta