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Key research themes
1. How did European imperial frameworks shape and integrate Atlantic commerce as a transnational economic system?
This theme investigates the extent to which Atlantic commerce functioned as a cohesive transnational economy versus segmented national or imperial economies in the early modern period. It examines merchant networks, state-imposed commercial regulations, and the development of inter-imperial market relations to understand how economic activities were embedded within and transcended national boundaries, thus shaping the emergence of a broader Atlantic economic system.
Key finding: This paper argues that French Atlantic commerce in the 17th and 18th centuries formed an interrelated historical area characterized by shared economic, political, and institutional developments along French and New World... Read more
Key finding: Through detailed analysis of merchant practices and trade networks, this paper reveals the multi-layered and flexible nature of 18th-century commerce that often circumvented imperial regulations. Merchants integrated diverse... Read more
Key finding: By examining imported cloth consumption patterns in key North American imperial cities (Montreal, Philadelphia, Charleston, and New Orleans), the study highlights both imperial influences and shared Atlantic consumption... Read more
Key finding: This collection of essays demonstrates that Atlantic economic exchanges in the Caribbean transcended imperial boundaries through commercial, social, and cultural flows among British, Spanish, Dutch, and French colonies. The... Read more
2. What role did luxury and exotic goods, particularly Asian imports, play in shaping Atlantic consumer cultures and economic transformations?
This research theme focuses on the influence of luxury goods from Asia—such as silks, porcelains, spices, and textiles—on European and Atlantic consumption patterns and economic development in the early modern period. It considers how the trade in these 'goods from the East' contributed to changes in social structures, manufacturing, and the emergence of global trade networks linking Europe, Asia, and the Atlantic World.
Key finding: The book provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of Asian luxury goods trade with Europe, showing how European monarchies, elites, and broader consumers increasingly integrated exotic Asian products into material... Read more
Key finding: This microhistorical study of 17th-century Piedmontese silk production highlights the tensions between local manufacturing ambitions and global markets, especially transatlantic trade. The case of silk exports from Turin to... Read more
Key finding: Beyond imperial consumption patterns, this study’s focus on textiles—some luxury goods—reiterates the importance of manufactured goods in forging Atlantic economic links. The detailed cloth consumption data underscore how... Read more
3. How are contemporary geopolitical and economic strategies reshaping Atlantic commerce and connectivity?
This modern-focused theme investigates ongoing geopolitical, diplomatic, and infrastructural initiatives influencing contemporary Atlantic commerce. It includes the role of economic diplomacy in the Caribbean, Chinese-led projects such as the Maritime Silk Road, and strategic industrial sectors like shipbuilding and nautical tourism. The theme addresses how these forces interact within the Atlantic economic space amidst global power shifts and challenges.
Key finding: The paper analyzes the strategic crossroads faced by Caribbean states navigating a complex global order marked by shifting hegemonies and multilateralism challenges. It highlights the Caribbean’s efforts to leverage economic... Read more
Key finding: The article examines the China-centric concept of the Maritime Silk Road, tracing its evolution from the 1980s to its contemporary embedding within the Belt and Road Initiative. It underscores how this narrative functions as... Read more
Key finding: The study illuminates the challenges and opportunities in Atlantic Area shipbuilding and repair industries, emphasizing the sector’s economic role in Europe and its competitiveness amidst global market pressures from Asia. It... Read more
Key finding: This research assesses how investments influence competitiveness in the Atlantic Area’s nautical tourism sector, a crucial component of the blue economy. It identifies investment patterns as key determinants of sustainable... Read more