The origins of commercial capitalism, colonial expansion and history as theory. An interview with Jairus Banaji
No. 89 (2023-07-04)Author(s)
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Jairus BanajiUniversidad de Londres, UK
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Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Abstract
Objective/Context: In this interview, I propose a journey through the intellectual trajectory of Jairus Banaji. It focuses on different aspects comprising the study of the history of capitalism from a Marxist perspective, delving into the expansion of the monetary economy in the late Roman Empire, the economic dynamism of the Islamic world in medieval times, and the role played by merchants and traders in the emergence of capitalism. Originality: Although Banaji’s contributions to the debate that developed in India on “the transition” from feudalism to capitalism were remarkable, his work is little known in Latin America due to the scarcity of translations of his main works. Conclusions. This interview attempts to outline a synthesis of his intellectual biography, which stems from generating a cross-dialogue between his work and the currents of thought that took place in the Latin American region and that, in many cases, influenced and inspired his own work.
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