Global History of Diplomacy

Study Granted by THE KAJIMA FOUNDATION (2020-2021)
Toward a Global History of Inter-State Relations: A Comparative Study on Governmental Controls on Commercial Exchanges and Traffics in Eurasia, 1400-1900

Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research ＜KAKENHI＞ Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
FY2021-2024 Project number: 21H04355
Toward a Global History of Inter-State Relations: A Comparative Study on Governmental Controls on Commercial Exchanges and Traffics in Eurasia, 1400-1900

The Purpose of the Research

We aim to draw a new picture of Global history by comparing the results of previous studies in Japanese history with events that happened in other parts of the world. The ultimate goal is to overcome Eurocentrism and create a fairer view of Global history.

This is creative and pioneering research consisting of empirical studies and various-aspect comparisons on “how authorities controlled both trading and the movement of people” in various areas in Eurasia. We use the following 3 indexes:

1. How to control foreigners and trade with them; by a combination of regime-issued foreigner-controlling policies (such as Agreements, Regulations or Articles) and Agreements between merchants, or by treaties between states/polities
2. How did the regime take profit from international trading; customs duties on a broad range of items, commissions, tributes or bribes?
3. Who did the chief of residents of a settlement represent; the residents themselves, the regime of their original homeland, or the regime of the country they reside in?

It seems that after the late 19th century, global recognition was established on those 3 indexes and 1. is recognised as a commercial treaty, 2. as customs duty and 3. as consulate affairs. However, this research is to reveal the prehistory empirically based on peculiarity and diversity of the regions, regimes and trading groups.

Members:

Research lead:

Fuyuko Matsukata

Co-researchers:

Norifumi Daito (History of South-West Asia, History of Dutch East India Company), Yuki Furukawa (History of Pre-modern Japan), Akiko Harada (History of Italy), Yu Hashimoto (History of Medieval Japan), Yutaka Horii (History of the Ottoman Empire), Hiroshi Kawaguchi (History of Thailand), Hironari Kido (History of Pre-modern Japan), Yuta Kikuchi (History of Germany), Kanako Kimura (History of South-East Asia), Azusa Matsumoto (History of Pre-modern Japan), Takako Morinaga (History of Russia), Takashi Okamoto (History of China), Hao Peng (History of Pre-modern Japan), Akifumi Shioya (History of Central Asia), Yamato Tsuji (History of Korea), Seiya Yoshioka (History of Pre-modern Japan)