Michael Adas is een Amerikaanse historicus gespecialiseerd in de geschiedenis van technologie, antikolonialisme en wereldgeschiedenis. Zijn werk belicht de complexe wisselwerking tussen technologische vooruitgang en maatschappelijke transformaties, met name in de context van dekolonisatie. Adas' onderzoek onderzoekt hoe wereldwijde machtsdynamieken zijn gevormd door zowel technologische innovatie als verzetsbewegingen. Zijn onderzoek biedt een genuanceerd begrip van de onderlinge verbondenheid van historische krachten op wereldschaal.
Over the past five centuries, advances in Western understanding of and control over the material world have strongly influenced European responses to non- Western peoples and cultures. In Machines as the Measure of Men, Michael Adas explores the ways in which European perceptions of their scientific and technological superiority shaped their...
Focusing on the economic growth of Lower Burma, this award-winning study explores its transformation into the world's leading rice exporter. The paperback edition includes a new preface, enhancing its insights into the region's agricultural development and trade dynamics.
Focusing on the impact of European colonialism and the capitalist world economy, this collection of essays examines the significant changes and disruptions experienced by peasant societies. Originally published in 1998, the essays delve into the historical context and consequences of these transformations, providing insight into the complex dynamics between colonization and local communities.
Exploring the cross-cultural study of ancient and classical civilizations, this volume emphasizes methodologies essential for comparative historical analysis, drawing from sociology, archaeology, linguistics, and anthropology. It features essays that examine interactions between agrarian and nomadic societies, highlighting their influence on economic development and cultural adaptation. The second section delves into regional patterns of idea and material culture dissemination. Authored by leading scholars, the book serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the complexities of human development in a global context.