This book shows that in Asia and Europe, 17th- early 20th century, the history of "free" labour is linked to that of coerced labour. Circulation of models, peoples, goods and institutions, and long-term growth contributed to increase coercion.

This ground-breaking book adds an economic angle to a traditionally moral argument, demonstrating that slavery has never promoted economic growth or development, neither today nor in the past. While unfree labor may be lucrative for slaveholders, its negative effects on a country’s economy,...

Atlantic inversions -- A Creole industrial revolution in the Cuban sugar-mill -- El principio sacarino: purity, equilibrium, and whiteness in the sugar-mill -- From an infrastructure of fees to an infrastructure of flows: the warehouse revolution in Havana harbor -- Wrought-iron politics: racial...