Reading 1.
Pg 1- Connotation 1
In my opinion, the allegory of the European Miracle is an exciting discussion that had never crossed my mind. In the study of history, the idea of colonization has presented European Nations as superpowers, but the debate behind their superiority has never crossed my mind. This chapter presents a mind triggering impression that I would love to see how Blaut argues his points out on European Superiority. It would be interesting for me to understand the facts or ideology behind European domination over all other nations, especially during the colonial period.
Pg. 2- Connotation 2
It’s interesting how Blaut presents his article to illustrate that Europe was just like any other continent like Asia and Africa, but some unique opportunities made it rise to a superpower. Personally am interested in reading the books by other historians he mentions in this page like Samir Amin, Immanuel Wallenstein and a popularly known historian Janet Abu-Lughod. This will beef my knowledge of the myth of European superiority. My interest will be to see the extend these historians presented their view of European superiority and their gaps in their works. Guess I will get fellow students interested in the same too. It is also stimulating for me to read the European history post-1492 as Blaut triggers our minds in this chapter.
Pg. 6: Connotation 3
It is ironical to argue that Europe became a superpower by a miracle. Yet, it’s clear that colonization and massive amassing of wealth from its colonies and to be specific, America gave it a milestone to its superiority. Colonization was a vice that manipulated and destroyed the economic status of other countries and in this case, building Europe.
Pg. 7 Connotation 4
There is no way modernization fully illustrates the growth of Europe. Sadly, some of the European scholars agree that European modernization expanded post-colonialism. All the activities that took place during colonization paved the way for European growth, and it, therefore, it cannot be argued that colonization did not contribute to European economic growth.
Pg.12 Connotation 5
The title itself “The European Miracle” sounds racist. It a concept that clearly illustrates European superiority over other nations. The idea that Europeans had a superior biological heredity has been carried across generations which is a problem the world addressees to date. For me, I have not found any evidential justifications of any superior races, but this is a cultured problem that has been accepted globally, and people refuse to accept the facts.
Pg.55 Connotation 6
Weber is known to be a great scholar in his texts of the Spirit of Capitalism. It’s interesting for me to see how Weber illustrates that European Rationality is the root cause for its superiority.