Theories of World History

Abstract

The history of the development of human societies from the age of the hunter- gatherer to the age of knowledge has been a long and turbulent one. It has involved conflict and profound change, countless bloody wars, and massive—at times chaotic—sociopolitical, socioeconomic, and sociocultural transformations due primarily to countless scientific discoveries and the development of innovative technological tools, machines and systems. These developments have affected all aspects of human life: the social and economic structures of society, culture, political organizations, modes of production, and environmental settings. Nature, geography, ideas, innovations, technology, religious and political leaders, states, and chance have contributed in different ways and to varying degrees to the making of human history. This chapter tries to briefly review the major conceptions of world history, explain their rationale, and expose their shortcomings, consequently paving the way for the introduction and articulation of a new conception of world history.