Reconstruction Of World History

Kojin Karatani’s Theory of Modes of Exchange views the structure of worldhistory from a new angle, focusing on “economic” aspects. Economy in this contextdoesn’t refer to means of production, but to items seen as modes of exchange, so thetheory reconstruction of the world history in a different way.Kojin Karatani’s Theoryhave four modes.The four modes of exchange are A, mutual benefits, B, submissionand protection, C, exchange of goods and D, which surpasses A, B and C. Amongthem, A has a dominant place in the micro-world system of primitive society, B in theworld-empire system, C in the world system of capitalist economy and D in the futureworld system. This doesn’t mean the modes are absolute and mutually exclusive; it’sonly a matter of level of dominance. In any of the systems mentioned above, themodes of exchange co-exist, but the dominant mode differs. This paper introduces thefour modes and explains the different states of their co-existence in each system. Andexpound Kojin Karatani’s reconstruction of world history.Marx’s economy concerns means of production, so states and peoples areconsidered superstructures. Karatani argues that this line of reasoning is flawedbecause Marx’s theory fails to adequately address the societal conditions beforecapitalist societies. Furthermore, even in capitalist societies, states and peoples don’tperish when the means of production–economic foundation in the theory–changes.Therefore, Karatani redefines economy as modes of exchange, a theory which thenrestructures world history and criticizes the structural crisis of capitalism, and whichshows a brand-new picture of the future of human society.Karatani critiques Marx’s approach based on means of production, so this paperfirst illustrates Marx’s view of world history, so as to accentuate the superiority ofKaratani’s theory. Both philosophers differ on the view of states and peoples. Marxconsiders them as superstructures, and suspended in quotation marks when applied tothe capitalist economy. Karatani, on the other hand, treats them as different modes ofexchange, enjoying independence, being concrete and not extirpated when means ofproduction changes.Karatani’s Theory of Modes of Exchange restructures world history, explains thestructural crisis of capitalism and tries to point the way to the future. The restructured world history serves as “the ultimate outlook of the future,” which, in essence, is aunited world republic of world peoples. This paints a brand new future of humansociety. And shows a brand-new picture of the future of human society.