Dr. Javier Francisco
Research Associate
Institute for European Global Studies,
University of Basel
Riehenstrasse 154
CH-4058 Basel
Office 00.013
“Imperial Methuselah. A Theoretical Approach on European Long-Lived Rule in the Americas” (advanced book project)
Looking at a historical world map of the Early Modern Era, we cannot help but wonder at the rise of European power. Emerging European empires would compete for territories, resources, commercial shares and diplomatic influence all over the world while their metropoles comprised only a small territorial fraction. Until the early 19th century, this expansion was most visible and resounding in the Americas. But what seems to be a linear story of imperial “success” was actually the result of complex developments, economic experiments, societal entanglements, ecological transformations, political turmoil and Indigenous resistance and collaboration.
In this book project I propose a model to account for the interplay of friction and cooperation which resulted in multiple entry points for European expansion and structural cohesion. This study provides a comparative meta-analysis of eight empires and offers a model through which we can better understand imperial longevity in Early Modern America. Thus, the aim is not to replace well-established research on particular empires and colonies but to complement our interpretations with a macro narrative.
Global bio-cultural transformations in the early modern era
Scientists and scholars across the disciplines are increasingly interested in understanding and explaining the loss of biological and cultural (that is to say, bio-cultural) diversity which we are currently witnessing around the world. In my research projects I investigate when these accelerated global transformations started: What were the contributing factors, how did the European empires trigger or accelerate these processes and how did the Indigenous come into play? I focus on case studies in the Atlantic World, though some projects also include parts of Asia and Australia.
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Publications in process (advanced manuscripts or submitted and under revision)
Book
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Publications
Book
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Publications for the General Public