The formation of other developments in the larger society has often and in more than one way attracted the attention of individuals in the society ranging from those who occupy its top-tier, to those in its lower apex who have no worthwhile opinion to offer. While the emergence and growth of developments in the contemporary society associated with civilization are easy to understand and piece together, the same developments in the ancient societies in the middle ages are somewhat difficult to piece together due to the absence of remarkable variables. It is difficult therefore to have a proper understanding of how developments in political, intellectual activities took place in the absence of a proper picture of what influenced them. It is not the purpose of this paper to explore every variable attributed to influencing the mentioned developments. However, the paper will narrow its scope and delve into the influence of trade and commerce in political activities developments across the multiple world civilizations between the ancient era and the Middle Ages.
Cunningham (2012) brings out the correlation between trade and commerce and politics during the ancient and middle ages home in a more close and uptight manner. The scholar starts by offering a narrowed version of the effect of trade and commerce on the political structures that existed at that time in the societies in the ancient and middle ages centuries. As such, trade and commerce were the common denominators in determining the rate and level of success by an individual in the society at its narrowest level, and the determinant of society’s success and dominance at its broader level. Success in the proper conduction of trade and commerce meant a climb up the social ladder of the society, with individuals in the society deemed as successful in regard to trade and commerce accorded a natural entry in the societal decision making and policy shaping. With the continued expansion of the society, an unprecedented increase in its population size and the increase in completion for the sustenance of individual lifestyles, a paradigm shift in trade and commerce changed significantly not to mention its correlation to politics. A stiff competition ensued among the members occupying the top echelon of the society as each member tried to outdo the other in making decisions and formulating policies affecting the larger society in general. Unlike the previous times when oratory skills and extraordinary knowledge-ability were the sole premises of moving the masses and winning their support for elective political positions, an alteration of the pattern emerged as the masses developed a preference for financial gains and resources that could mostly be realizable from trade and commercial activities (Parker, 2007).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Members of the society who were well versed in matters of trade and commerce, therefore, found a leeway to enter the political arena for reasons that are twofold. One was to feel the social privilege of occupying the top apex of the social ladder, and two was to further their trade and commerce interests by using their new social positions. It is interesting to note that even in the cases where the political structure was rigid and hereditary as was common in some societies, the occupants of such political systems relied heavily on members of the society versed in trade and commerce varied reasons ranging from financial support to solidification of their political support on the basis of social occupation by that category of individuals.
The influence of trade and commerce on politics at the broader level was somewhat more complex. Societies in the ancient and the middle ages that were known to be heavily involved in commerce and trade eventually became prosperous compared to those that did not. Prosperity in this sense should not be construed to mean financial resources per se, but prosperity related to the population of the society and its military strength. McCannon (2010) argues that individuals living in such societies experienced a significantly high quality of life leading to an increment in the level of population as they could access basic human needs such as food and housing with ease. The desirable quality of life coupled with the existence of security in such societies attracted members of other societies who came to offer their services as slaves in exchange for the better life and security that otherwise did not exist in their former societies. Continued increase in the population of such societies meant a significant increase in the rate of taxation and political support for those in the occupation of positions of power and influence. With the rate of taxation increased, the political establishment was able to maintain law and order as the mechanisms needed for both the sustenance and maintenance of law and order could be easily funded from the state coffers. Moreover, resources from the taxation process were channeled towards rewarding the officials and employees of the society who were tasked with the responsibility of keeping the political and administrative machines running.
The increase in population by extension meant an increase in the number of men who had the ability to participate in military activities of the society. It is therefore not surprising that during this time, societies that were dominant in trade and commerce were equally dominant in military strength and expansion. Due to the dominance of their military and political power, commerce and trade-based societies could easily colonize other territories that were otherwise comparatively weaker based on the number of people in their military service, and their political strength. Expansion in the political size of society meant the movement of people, in this case, the foot soldiers, their commanders and individuals occupying the political class (Willner, Hero & Wiener, 2006). In essence, this means that the society was required to be in possession of resources capable of facilitating such movements through the various means that existed and applicable during that period in history. Horses and crude methods of transport such as canoe boats were some of the most used means. While the contemporary use of currency in trade and commerce was absent at this historical time, other methods mostly barter trade, was so much in use. The acquisition of such vital necessities in the propulsion of political and war agenda such as horses and canoe boats could not happen in the absence of trade and development. Other necessities of war such as weapons and military gear equally relied on trade and commerce, a development that either occurred in the internal borders of a society in the event that it had members of such capabilities or the involvement of exchange with other societies in their possession if it lacked.
In conclusion, the influence of trade and commerce on matters to do with politics is not a new venture as it is thought to be in some quarters. While it is prevalent even in the current society we live in, the correlation between the two variables started long ago in the centuries that have passed, and the development has equally gone through a complex process to reach where it is currently. It is suffice, therefore, to say that this kind of correlation will continue to exist as the resultant impact from the correlation has already been significantly embedded.
References
Cunningham, W. (2012). The growth of English industry and commerce: During the Early and Middle Ages . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McCannon, J. (2010). Barron's AP world history . Hauppauge, N.Y: Barron's.
Parker, C. H. (2007). Between the Middle Ages and modernity: Individual and community in the early modern world . Lanham [u.a.: Rowman & Littlefield.
Willner, M., Hero, G., & Wiener, J. (2006). Global history . Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series.
