Recent PhD graduate, Kim Tung Doa investigates the position of merchants and their commercial activities across the five major philosophies of life in ancient Asia – Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Chinese Legalism and Islam.
In 'Winds from the East: Ignored ancient Asian views on international trade and traders', Kim Tung Dao and her co-auther, Professor Peter van Bergeijk address the issue that the history of economic thought on international trade is dominated by a Western perspective and sets a first step to decolonize economic thinking by discussing the position of merchants and their commercial activities across the five major philosophies of life in ancient Asia – Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Chinese Legalism and Islam.
They find significant dissimilarities in the appreciation and perception of international economic activity both across these five philosophies of life as well as in comparison to pre-economic Western thinking and argues that it is important to recognize this heterogeneity in future (empirical) research.
A more inclusive view of the ideas embedded in ancient philosophies of life that shaped societies’ attitudes towards international trade throughout history is important for a better understanding of present-day international economic relationships in a world of growing multidimensional integration.
- Related links
- PhD defence by Kim Tung Dao