The Structure of World History

<div>In this major paradigm-shifting work Kojin Karatani systematically re-reads Marx's version of world history shifting the focus of critique from modes of production to modes of exchange. Karatani seeks to understand both Capital-Nation-State the interlocking system that is the dominant form of modern global society and the possibilities for superseding it. In <i>The Structure of World History</i> he traces different modes of exchange including the pooling of resources that characterizes nomadic tribes the gift exchange systems developed after the adoption of fixed-settlement agriculture the exchange of obedience for protection that arises with the emergence of the state the commodity exchanges that characterize capitalism and finally a future mode of exchange based on the return of gift exchange albeit modified for the contemporary moment. He argues that this final stage-marking the overcoming of capital nation and state-is best understood in light of Kant's writings on eternal peace. <i>The Structure of World History</i> is in many ways the capstone of Karatani's brilliant career yet it also signals new directions in his thought.</div>