Early modern Iberian empires, global history and the history of early globalization

Abstract This essay discusses the main lines of current research on social and economic history early modern Iberian worlds. It then goes on, in light recent debates, to make case for value a purposeful dialogue between global imperial history. The issues primary concern here are extent which lateral, inter-regional relations worlds dominated vertical connecting particular areas Madrid or Lisbon; how power agency local scales may be integrated into accounts flows interactions larger scales; ways empires through prism breaks with pre-existing nationalistic narratives; whether not decentralized component these was unique them. Finally, examples detailed can provide fruitful basis polycentric globalization. given take heart from critical engagement Great Divergence paradigm, new analytical potentialities ecological history, constructive destructive impact globalization upon empires, importance studying comparatively.