Today, the divergence between the 'West' and the 'Rest' is visibly unravelling, as economies in Asia, Latin America and even sub-Saharan Africa converge on the rich economies of Europe and North America. This phenomenon, which is set to define the twenty-first century, both economically and...

Introduction : geographical and historical background -- The world economy at the turn of the first millennium -- World trade 1000-1500 : the economic consequences of Genghis Khan -- World Trade 1500-1650 : old world trade and new world silver -- World trade 1650-1780 : the age of mercantilism...