Translator's Note vii

Author's Preface to the English Translation ix

Preface xiii

Introduction. On Modes of Exchange 1

Part I. Mini World Systems 29

1. The Sedentary Revolution 35

2. The Gift and Magic 50

Part II. World-Empire 57

3. The State 63

4. World Money 81

5. World Empires 104

6. Universal Religions 127

Part III. The Modern World System 157

7. The Modern State 165

8. Industrial Capital 182

9. Nation 209

10. Associationism 228

Part IV. The Present and the Future 265

11. The Stages of Global Capitalism and Repetition 267

12. Toward a World Republic 285

Acknowledgments 309

Notes 311

Bibliography 339

Index

“In place of a singular conception of development, Karatani envisions a truly world-historical perspective. Moreover, his unique approach to world history demonstrates the value of establishing a more constructive dialogue between philosophy, anthropology, sociology, economics and historical studies.” — Yamoi Pham, Journal of World Systems Theory

“The Structure of World History is a must-read for anybody who is interested in a universal master narrative being in search not only for power of resistance against this system but also for possible ways ‘to transcend the capitalist social formation from within’ (p. 291).” — Steffi Richter, H-Asia, H-Net Reviews

“Well argued, and with a highly approachable translation by Michael Bourdaghs, this work is both an excellent entry point for those unfamiliar with Karatani’s previous work, and an excellent continuation of the themes he has previously explored. By providing such an ambitious and innovative work, Karatani offers much to the fields of anthropology, sociology and historical study, as well as a starting point for theorists interested in the concept of mode D and the promises it contains.” — Wesley R. Bishop, Capital & Class

"One of the strengths of this book . . . is that it offers a universal analysis of global systems that helps us better understand interactions between individuals and local communities, as much as between nations and trading blocks. In addition, although this book is certainly theoretical and paradigmatic, it is also rich with real world historical examples drawn from a wide range of periods and regions. This keeps it grounded in the actual processes of history in a way that Kant or Hegel were unable to do." — Craig Benjamin, Left History

“In place of a singular conception of development, Karatani envisions a truly world-historical perspective. Moreover, his unique approach to world history demonstrates the value of establishing a more constructive dialogue between philosophy, anthropology, sociology, economics and historical studies.” —Yamoi Pham, Journal of World Systems Theory

“The Structure of World History is a must-read for anybody who is interested in a universal master narrative being in search not only for power of resistance against this system but also for possible ways ‘to transcend the capitalist social formation from within’ (p. 291).” —Steffi Richter, H-Asia, H-Net Reviews

“Well argued, and with a highly approachable translation by Michael Bourdaghs, this work is both an excellent entry point for those unfamiliar with Karatani’s previous work, and an excellent continuation of the themes he has previously explored. By providing such an ambitious and innovative work, Karatani offers much to the fields of anthropology, sociology and historical study, as well as a starting point for theorists interested in the concept of mode D and the promises it contains.” —Wesley R. Bishop, Capital & Class

"One of the strengths of this book . . . is that it offers a universal analysis of global systems that helps us better understand interactions between individuals and local communities, as much as between nations and trading blocks. In addition, although this book is certainly theoretical and paradigmatic, it is also rich with real world historical examples drawn from a wide range of periods and regions. This keeps it grounded in the actual processes of history in a way that Kant or Hegel were unable to do." —Craig Benjamin, Left History

"Kojin Karatani's monumental and provocative synthesis testifies to a dramatic rebirth of universal history in recent times; but it does so by reuniting traditions—economics, politics, the social imaginary—which have proved increasingly sterile developed separately. His proposal involves a Borromean knot in which the three distinct areas of Capital, the Nation, and the State are both distinguished from each other and structurally recombined in their historical moments. His rereading of the Marxian modes of production (Marx's theory of universal history) in terms of modes of exchange is heretical and revisionist, but also profoundly critical of both the anarchism and the social democracy it would seem to express. His discussion of nation and world empire replaces any number of globalization debates within a transformative or revolutionary framework. His luminous study of Marx's own work and politics then casts a whole new light on Hegel and Kant; and indeed the history of philosophy is as much at stake here as the histories of nationalism or anticapitalist movements. Finally, Karatani's own practical and theoretical experience of the cooperative moment opens up political perspectives which will be politically suggestive and energizing at a moment when left politics seems universally out of breath." — Fredric Jameson, author of Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism

"Kojin Karatani is one of the most creative and important thinkers of the early twenty-first century." — David Graeber, author of The Democracy Project: A History, a Crisis, a Movement

"Kojin Karatani's last great work, Transcritique: On Kant and Marx, set off a chain of theoretical explosions, Slavoj Žižek’s The Parallax View not least among them. This latest book returns to the Borromean knot of Capital-Nation-State from a rotated perspective; privileging modes of exchange over modes of production, it is a revolutionary rethinking of the historical emergence of that triadic structure and its various transformations. The 'Karatani-turn' will no doubt re-start serious debate about the form and future of capitalism." — Joan Copjec, author of Imagine There's No Woman: Ethics and Sublimation

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