The Rise of the West

This paper aims to describe Marks’ would be view of free markets and democracy and that these two factors hold the answer to the new world problems; his view of marketplace values and democracy as having originated uniquely with Western Civilization, and therefore we must turn to the study of Western Civilization to tackle the problems of the modern world.
From a Marks’ point of view, there is no world democracy as the nation-states solely rule the world. These nation-states dominate the world. These world leaders, the G7 and NATO, makes the rules and “wield the power unilaterally or with alliances” with the aim of amassing wealth and increasing power in their nation-states. However, their unilateral or allied wielding of power is done at the expense of other nations, the developing nations, which are impoverished in the process. Ironically though, just a few centuries ago, these nation-states [like Europe countries] now dominating the world envied the wealth and governance of Asian countries (Marks 6). Yet, when the economic change came to Europe in the 19th century, European analysts described the Asian countries as “stagnating, backward and despotic.”
Free market has the solution to the problems of the new world. Free market is a market economy determined by demand and supply. Asian countries greatly influenced the whole of Eurasian continent from maybe as early as 1000 AC. Europe supplied the Asian giants, mostly the Chinese and Indian economies, with the silver that they required to grow and in turn, they became a worldwide source of finished products. European silver riches increased after the discovery of huge silver deposits in the New World that would be used in purchasing the Asian products (McNeill, p. 585). It was the Europe’s huge silver riches in the New World that were in high demand by the Asian economies, that made it dominate the world as described below.
In the case above, Europe had the silver that was needed to fuel the Asian economies; using the high demand of silver in the Asian economies case, economic equilibrium is a way through which it can be used to provide solutions. Economic equilibrium is a situation whereby there is balancing of the economic or market forces. The increase in the Europe’s silver sources conformed to its quest for the Asian products where the silver currency was in high demand. This was a sure way to oversupply the market with the silver, the increased disposable income, thereby leading to an equilibrium price change. If there is oversupply of goods in the market, the price goes down and vice versa. Comparative statics could be used to set the price such as increasing the price where there is an increase in the consumer’s income like in the Europe’s case of increased silver wealth.
When the Islamic Empire barricaded Europeans from getting to the riches of Asia through a shorter route, Columbus, discovered a way through which they could still reach the Asia merchandise through the Indian Ocean. It was in that quest for Asian goods, despite the difficulties, that made them discover the New World. West’s artistry use of the steam power for military purposes was also a key determining factor that led to its dominance in the world (Marks 10). The European and the world history alike are much seen from a Eurocentric perspective as the Eurocentric ideas explain about the world and the way through which it became what it is. Studying Western Civilization will provide a historical approach on what’s the significance of the difference between the rich and the poor of the world. Therefore, turning to the study of Western Civilization can be crucial to tackle the problems of the modern world.

Works Cited
Marks, R. B. “The Origins of the Modern World: The Rise of the West?” OX: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.
McNeill, W. H. “The Rise of the West: A History of the Human Community: with a Retrospective Essay.” Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990.