네덜란드 동인도 회사와 아시아 교역: 세계화의 초기 단계

Abstract

【Abstract】 The Dutch East India Company and Asian Commerce: the First Phase of Globalization Kyung-chul Jou (Seoul National University) This article has an objective of examining the first phase of globalization with an example of the Dutch East India Company (de Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie: VOC). One of the most powerful companies in early modern age, the VOC was an important agent of the encounters between the East and the West. It established over twenty branches (“factories”) successfully to form efficient commercial networks on Asian waters. The strong military power was surely an important factor which enabled the VOC to gain a predominant position at least within their staying regions. According to the “Steensgaard thesis”, the VOC was a typical example of the employment of violence for rational purpose, that is for the maximization of economic profit, and the formation of “positive relationship between state and capital” (F. Braudel). Furthermore it was argued that the Dutch penetration caused a “structural change” onto Asian commercial systems. However all these arguments need to be reviewed critically. The VOC was not in a position to dominate Asian empires and states, but rather insinuated itself into the established commercial networks to gain a survival base. The take-over of Asian economy by the West did not occur until the age of imperialism in the nineteenth century when the European states and companies were empowered by the Industrial Revolution to wield much stronger influence. The VOC was surely a significant step toward the present globalization led by Western powers, but still of marginal weight.