World History 1450-1650

To what extent did traditional and commoditized relationships shape and influence Western/ Eastern Europe and Middle Eastern Eurasia 500 to 1000 CE?From 6th to 11th century Afro Eurasia developed two kinds of relationships including commoditized and traditional. “Traditional relationships are born of such things as kinship, ethnicity, and geography and shared spiritual visions. They are glued together by reciprocal obligations and visions of common destinies. Commoditized relationships, on the other hand, are instrumental in nature. The only glue that holds them together is the agreed-upon transaction price” [i.e.,(Ellis Esler 212 - 334)]. After the downfall of the Roman Empire in 476CE, the Western Europe declined, however the Eastern part, the so called Byzantine Empire just began to flourish.

The Western Europe demonstrates both traditional and commoditized relationships through feudal system and religion; however Byzantine on the other hand shows only the commoditized ones. In addition the Arab world also demonstrates both commoditized and traditional relationships. Although Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Arab world shared many identical relationship patterns including commoditized and traditional, distinct geographical locations, mentality and cultural differences resulted in market taking over the traditions.

The Western Europe during 500 -1000 CE demonstrates both traditional and commoditized relationships through feudalism and religion, however gradually the commodity began to overshadow the traditions. The Post classical Period marks the end line for Roman Empire but during this period Europe started to emerge. The division of Western Europe among the numerous Germanic tribes occurred in 5th century [i.e.,(Wiesner 47-97)].

During the Post Classical Period as Europe became a Christian region, the church played an active role in weakening the commoditized relationships and building on the traditions and spiritual ideas. Catholic Christianity emerged as a major unifying force in the Western Europe. The church taught people about charity, service and social responsibility. As people believed more in the power of the church, the church's power became supreme. Although it seems as a corruption, the church pulled everything together; it tied and glued little pieces to make new traditions which people followed. In addition people didn't do things that had been viewed as shameful in the eyes of the Church. For instance, the church didn't likely accept moneylenders and merchants; therefore people wouldn't choose these occupations. As a result traditions overshadowed the commoditized relationships.

The decline of the Roman Empire resulted in instability of the Western Europe and rise of feudalism which exposes to both ...