Whither Slavery? Decentring and Conceptual Asymmetries in the Study of Bondage in Early Modern Asia

What is it about?

This paper explores the concept of slavery in Asia, suggesting that it should not be viewed solely through a European lens. Instead, it highlights the diverse and complex forms of forced labor and dependency that existed in Asian societies. The study critiques the tendency to compare Asian labor practices directly with European slavery, arguing that this oversimplifies the term. By focusing on the influence of European colonial powers, such as the Iberian empires and Jesuit missionaries in Japan, the paper encourages a deeper understanding of how local labor practices were shaped by both local and foreign influences. It calls for a broader examination of labor relationships defined by violence and dependency in Asia during the early modern period.

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