When we think of globalization, we automatically think of the modern sense of the word: a world in which we are all connected through trade networks and supply chains that encapsulates the globe as a whole. Although this globalization is on an unprecedented scale that has never been seen until now, many of the routes and networks have been around for quite some time and have been developing steadily for hundreds of years, if not thousands of years when you look at the grand scheme of things.
Many aspects of global trade have changed in recent history, but yet, many aspects have remained the same.
Often our trade networks and trade routes have been looked at as something new, something recent generations just came up with. New advancements in technology have, of course, made new and improved ways of shipping through new routes, but new technologies have also improved or have expanded old existing methods and routes.
For example, think about the Suez Canal. Trade through the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean from China, India, Malaysia, etc. would pass through the Red Sea up through the region where the Suez Canal is now located and would make its way to the Mediterranean. Transportation before the Suez Canal through this region between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean would be slow and a bit difficult at times, but in the end quite profitable. It was still much faster to be slowed down by a tiny strip of obstacles then it would be by transporting goods over large swaths of land through another routes. Fast forward to after the construction of the Suez Canal and profitability had increased exponentially. Fast forward even further and trade through that region still continues to grow even faster through the use of modern technology such as computers and computer software.
Not all trade routes have the same importance they once had.
The Silk Road is a prime example of that. The Silk Road can be marked as one of the most famous trade routes in history but it only bares a small resemblance to what it once was. If you would like to take a nostalgic journey down the Silk Road it is quite possible. Much of it is paved and I am pretty sure you could still find some trade along the journey, but much of its volume of commerce and importance was greatly stymied by the growing advances in seafaring technology and knowledge of the oceanic, sea, and river trade routes that greatly reduced shipping times. Which, by the way, shipping by sea still dominates global trade to this day. At least 80% of global shipping is done over water. For what would take months over the Silk Road during its heyday in ancient times, it would only take weeks or even days over sea when the new technologies of the day took hold.
There are many examples that we could touch upon but the above are the two main ones.
We could touch upon the many correlations between historical networks or routes and our modern ones, and/or we could touch upon the many differences between historical networks or routes compared to our modern ones as well. But, this is just a brief window into a complex relationship between the past and modern trade. I am merely pointing to an awareness of the fact that our current globalization has its roots in the rich history of trade that stretches as far back as our common knowledge of written history can tell us. Rest assured that trade networks and routes will undoubtedly change but many aspect of trade will remain similar, if not the same.
